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.

Upper Assendon Fm, Middle Assendon

Early-attested site in the Parish of Pishill with Stonor

Historical Forms

  • Assundene late10th BCS216 11th
  • Assendene c.1240 Thame
  • Acheden 1277 FF
  • Asindene, Assingden 1285 Ass

Etymology

Upper Assendon Fm (not on O.S. maps), Middle Assendon in Bix and Lower Assendon in Badgemore take name from Assundene late 10th (11th) BCS 216, Assendene c. 1240 Thame (p), Acheden 1277 FF, Asindene , Assingden 1285Ass (p). Cf. Upper Assingdon early 18th ParColl. '*Assa 's valley,' v. denu : 'valley of the ass' is formally possible, however. Cf. Ashingdon, PN Ess 176–7 (Assandun (e ) ASC 1016), which apparently has the same first element.