English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Harrowden

Early-attested site in the Parish of Eastcotts

Historical Forms

  • Herghetone, Hergentone 1086 DB
  • Harewedon 1166 P 1202,1227 Ass 1276 Ass
  • Harwedon 1227 Ass 1247 Ass 1393 Cl
  • Harwdon 1247 Ass
  • Harudon 1276 Ass
  • Haroudon 1276 Ass
  • Harouden 1287 Ass

Etymology

This would seem to have the same history as Harrowden (Nth) and to be a compound of hearg and dun . If so it must have been, like Harrow (Mx), a place for heathen worship in ancient days, with a sacred grove or shrine. Cf. Harrowick supra 14.

Places in the same Parish

Major Settlement

Early-attested site