Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Perenduna, Perendunā 1086 DB

• Perenduna 1138–48 BM

• Perendune 1254 FF

• Perendon(e), Perendona 1200 BM 1206 Cur 1212 RBE 1241-87 FF

• Perendona Wyssand 1254 Ass t.Ed1 Waltham

• Perindunā 1086 DB

• Perindon 1262 For t.Hy3 FA

• Perinden Magna 1428 FA

• Perhendune 1172 Colch

• Great Perynton 1291 Pat

• Parendon(e) 1202 FF 1254 Ass

• Parindon(e) 1208 FF

• Parrendun 1207 FF

• Petyparyndon 1412 FA

• Peridon' 1230 P

• Per(e)don' 1235 Ass 1242 P 1275 RH

• Parydon 1568 FF

• Porendon 1234 FF

• Perndon 1325,1334 Londin 1346 FA

• Little Permdon 1359 Pat

• Magna Pyrindon' 1291 Ass

• Perdon 1361 IpmR

• Great Parnedon 1436 Pat

• Little Pardington, Much Pardington 1486–93 ECP

• Paringdon Magna, Paringdon Parva 1535 VE

• Perrington 1670 Loughton

• Witsand (1212 Fees)

Etymology

This is a difficult name and it is not made easier by the occurrence in Parndon of a place called Parrenham (1207 FF), and a field Parn Mead (TA). The most likely explanation would seem to be that the first element is an OE  adj. pirigen , a derivative of pirige , 'pear tree,' the adjective describing a place where such trees were common. Hence 'pear-tree hill.' This furnishes a natural parallel to the neighbouring Roydon infra 49. Cf. Purnish (PN Sr 123). It may be that we have the same first element in Parnholt (Ha), with early forms Parenholt 1235Ass , Parnholt 1255 Ipm, Parneholt 1276 Cl, Perneholte 1354 Ch, Pernholt 1362 IpmR, similarly denoting 'pear-tree wood,' but the early form Paren - like the Parren - of Parrenham is a little difficult to reconcile with such an etymology. Wyssand from the family of Richard de Witsand (1212 Fees) of Great Parndon which came, no doubt, originally from Wissant (Pas-de-Calais).