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.

Harlington

Major Settlement in the Parish of Harlington

Historical Forms

  • Herlingdon, Herlyngdon 1086 DB 1227 Ass 1428 FA
  • Erlingedun 1181–90 Dunst 13th
  • Herlingedune 1181–90 Dunst 13th Dunst 1286
  • Herlingedon 1189 P 1223 FF 1227,1240 Ass
  • Harlingedon 1220 LS
  • Herlincdon 1223 Dunst 13th
  • Herlington 1240 Ass 1423 IpmR
  • Herlindon, Herlyndon 1278 Cl 1287 Ass
  • Harlyngdon, Harlingdon 1489 Ipm 1548 Pat 1552 Inv
  • Harlyngton 1492 Ipm 1526 LS

Etymology

'Hill of Herela's people' v. inga . The Herelingas (Widsith 112) or Harlung brothers, nephews of Ermanaric the Goth, were among the most famous of the Germanic heroes. Apart from place-names however we have no evidence for the use of the name Herel (a ) in England. In place-names it is found in Harling and Harleston (Nf), Harlethorpe (Y), Harlesthorpe (Db), Harlton (C), Harlington (Y). It is clear that the name must have been passing out of use soon after the period of the English settlement, and its distribution shows it to be definitely Anglian.

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site