Hampden (Great and Little)
Major Settlement in the Parish of Great and Little Hampden
Historical Forms
- Hamdenam 1086 DB
- Hamedene c.1250 Rec.xi.344
- Hampdene c.1200 Miss 14th
- Hamdene 1227 Ass 1247 Ass 1284 FA
Etymology
Forms with intrusive p are rare before 1400 and it is not heard in the local pronunciation of the name to this day.
This may be hām -denu , 'homestead-valley,' so called because marked by such, but compounds with initial ham are doubtful in English though Förstemann ON (s.n.) gives several such for OHG heim .