Hambleden
Major Settlement in the Parish of Hambleden
Historical Forms
- hamelan dene 1015 KCD722
- Hanbledene 1086 DB
- Hameleden 1182 P Ri P 1227 FF 1237–40 Fees
- Hamele 1208 Fees19
- Hameldene 1227,1241 Ass
- Hamoledene 1227 Ass
Etymology
Further forms are unnecessary. There are a good many cases of forms with-don for-den , no b has been noted before the 19th cent. and it is not pronounced locally now.
It is probable that we have the adj. hamel here. It may describe the valley here for it winds a good deal and its sides are much indented with combes, but in our ignorance of the precise significance of hamel it is difficult to say more. A personal name, **Hamela , is also conceivable.