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.

Headington

Major Settlement in the Parish of Cowley

Historical Forms

  • Hedenandun' 1004 Frid t.Ed2
  • Hedenandon' 1004 Frid t.Ric2
  • Hedenandum 1004 Frid t.Hy5
  • Hedenedonæ, Hedenedone 1004 Frid t.Ed2
  • Hedintone 1086 DB 1366 Cl
  • Hedendona 1140 OxonCh 1281 Fine
  • Heddindona 1179 P 1366 Cl
  • Hendend' 1143 OxonCh
  • Hendindon' 1203 Cur
  • Hetdred' 1143–7 OxonCh
  • Hadindon' 1205 Cl
  • Hadyndon 1401–2 FA
  • Edindon' 1231 Cl
  • Edendon' 1231 Ch
  • Edinden' 1235–6 Fees
  • Edindon 1362 Cl
  • Hedingdona 1231 Bract
  • Hedingdon' 1275–6,1278–9 RH
  • Hedyngdone 1285 Ass
  • Hedyngdon(e) 1311 BC c.1444
  • Hedyngdon 1338 BC c.1444 Cl 1380
  • Hedyngdoun 1387,93 Cl
  • Hundingdona 1231 Bract
  • Hededon' 1242 P
  • Heyndone 1285 Ass
  • Hedyngton 1330,75,83 Cl 1428 FA 1573 Frid
  • Heddington 1510 AD
  • Hetyndon 1358 Ipm

Etymology

Second element dūn, for which tūn has been substituted. The first is probably a personal name *Hedena , perhaps related to the name Heoden , found in Wīdsīð , corresponding to ON  Heðinn . Cf. also heodenes sceaga in BCS 455.