English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Headson

Early-attested site in the Parish of Bratton Clovelly

Historical Forms

  • Hiddelesdon 1244 Ass
  • Hiddeston 1330 SR
  • Hiddestone brygge 1408 DA
  • Hyddysdon 1505 Ipm

Etymology

The first element is a pers. name Hiddel , an l -derivative of Hiddi . The forms are insufficient to decide whether the second element was dun or tun .