Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Madenhecka c.1175 AddCh

• Madeh' c.1195 AddCh

• Madenhache 1241 Ass

• Madenhacch' (p), Madehach' 1294 SR

• Madenhacche 1327 ib

• Mayden Hatche 1552 LRMB

• Maidenedge 1761 Rocque 1790 Pride

Etymology

Maiden Hatch, Maidenhatch Fm, Madenhecka c. 1175AddCh 19601 (p), Madeh 'c. 1195AddCh 7202 (p), Madenhache 1241Ass (p), Madenhacch ' (p), Madehach '1294SR , Madenhacche 1327ib , Mayden Hatche 1552LRMB , Maidenedge 1761 Rocque, 1790 Pride. The second el. is hæc(c) 'wicket gate', referring either to a gate giving access to a wood (if the name originally denoted the large house called Maiden Hatch) or to a sluicegate on the R. Pang (if it belonged originally to Maidenhatch Fm). The absence of any early forms with Mayd - which certainly refer to this place is against the etymology 'maiden hatch', suggested by the modern spelling. (Cf. the spellings for Maidencourt, Pt 2 and Maidenhead 53.) The first el. may be a personal name Māda , which is postulated for Madingley C and Madeley St and Sa, v. C 181.