Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• le Masseden 1415 DuLaMB 1417 MinAcct 1482 ib

• Masden, Masson Jas1 DuLa

• Masson Eues als Marchden 1620 CPG

Etymology

Masson, le Masseden 1415DuLaMB , 1417MinAcct , 1482 ib, Masden , Masson Jas 1DuLa , Masson Eues als Marchden 1620CPG (v. efes ). It is now the name of the hill above the right bank of the R. Derwent, but the forms clearly show that it formerly referred to the valley of the river below. The forms are late, but 'Mæssa's valley' (v. denu ) might be the meaning. A connection with Mestesford , however, is not to be ruled out, for in a combination -std - the medial consonant could be lost at an early date. The exact history of the name can only be settled by earlier forms.