Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• (on) haran dune c.960 12th ib

• (on) harandune 973 12th ib

• (of) Harandune (wege) 985 KCD648 12th

• Hamden 1607 LRMB

• Horne Downe which is accompted to be in the parish of Sutton, Manner of Sutton Curtney called Horneden 1623 Dep

• Harn(e)don Hedge, Horendon Feild 1628 SpecCom

Etymology

Rowstock near Horn Down was in the parish of Sutton Courtenay (to which it is not adjacent) until 1887 when it was transferred to E. Hendred (VCH iv, 369). King Alfred's charter of c. 895 records an exchange between the King and a man named Deormod, whereby Deormod obtained Appleford, and the King Harandun . As a result of this, Horn Down presumably became attached to the royal manor of Sutton Courtenay, a few miles away, and this arrangement per- sisted till 1887. This part of E. Hendred may be the king's demesne of 4½ hides at Henret entered in DB under Sutton Hundred (VCH i, 333). In VCH iv, 297, however, the DB demesne is identified with the estate later given to Reading Abbey by the Empress Maud; this Reading estate is described as membr ' de Suthtun ' in the Pipe Rolls.