Ravensden
Major Settlement in the Parish of Ravensden
Historical Forms
- Rauenesden(e) c.1150 Warden c.1230 1493
- Raueneden 1225 FF
- Ravesden 1284 FA
- Ravensdene 1302 FA
- Ravenysdene 1428 FA
- Rounesden al. Ravenesden 1466 IpmR
- Raunston 1528 LP
- Ravensdell al. Ravensden 1631 BHRSii.105
Etymology
'The valley of Hræfn .' The name is not on record in OE but its existence is made probable by such names as Raveningham (Nf), which we must assume to be pre-Scandinavian. In any case, the existence of an OE pers. name (H )ræfn is made highly probable by the appearance of a compound Wlfreuen , borne by a burgess of Wallingford in the 12th cent. The initial w of this compound, and the first e of its second element show that it is an English and not a Scandinavian name. Such a compound would readily give rise to a short form (H )ræfn .