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.

Hemerdon

Early-attested site in the Parish of Plympton St Mary

Historical Forms

  • Hainemardun 1086 DB
  • Henemerdona t.Hy2 Oliver 1282 Ch 1328
  • Henemordon 1262 Ipm
  • Henmerdone 1263 Exon
  • Hennemer(e)don(e) 1285 FA 1338,1372 Exon
  • Henemeredon juxta Plympton 1297 FF
  • Henemeresdon 1303 FA
  • Hemmerdone 1597 DCoNQ3,110

Etymology

This is probably a triple compound of henn, mere and dun , meaning 'the hill by the hen-pool.'