Herne
Early-attested site in the Parish of Toddington
Historical Forms
- Hare 1183 P 1202 Ass 1220 LS 1227 Ass 1236 FF 1238 Cl 1242 Fees868 1247 1250 Ch 1276 1302,1316,1346 FA 1392 Ch 1428 FA
- Haren 1276 Ass 1286 Dunst 1297 SR
- Todingdon Grange de Hare 1291 Tax
- Harne 1535 VE
- Hairn 1766 J 1826 B
Etymology
This name is difficult. It is clear that the modern form is corrupt and that the Hairn of the earlier maps is a good deal more correct. In considering the meaning of the name it should be noted Hairn probably applies to a largish area rather than to any single spot, for in Bryant's map it is printed right across the Toddington road with considerable spacing, and this agrees with the fact that we now have Herne Green, Herne Manor Farm and Herne Farm on the north side of the road and Herne Grange and another Herne Farm on the south side of the road.All alike are on high ground, Herne Manor Farm being at the highest spot in the district.
Professor Ekwall takes the name to be a dat. pl. and identical with Harome (Y), DBHarum . For this we must assume an OE word corresponding to Swed har , 'stony place,' stenhar , 'heap of stones,' MLG hare , 'height,' Dutch haar , 'height covered with wood' (often in p.n.s as Haaren ). Cf. further Jellinghaus, Die Westälischen Ortsnamen , s.n. haar . Hence, '(At the) hars ,' but the exact sense of that word we cannot determine.