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.

Sidney Fm and Wood

Early-attested site in the Parish of Alfold

Historical Forms

  • Sydenie 1280 Penshurst
  • atte Sydenye 1307 Ass
  • la Sydenye 1330 Penshurst
  • ate Sydenye 1332 SR
  • Sydeneye 1336 FF
  • atte Sydney 1365 FF
  • Sedeneye 1393 Penshurst
  • Sydneywode 1548 LRMB
  • Sydneys 1595 VCHiii,78
  • Sydny 1610 Speed

Etymology

Sidney Fm and Wood is Sydenie 1280 Penshurst, atte Sydenye 1307Ass (p), la Sydenye 1330 Penshurst, ate Sydenye 1332 SR (p), Sydeneye 1336 FF, atte Sydney 1365 FF (both p), Sedeneye 1393 Penshurst, Sydneywode 1548LRMB , Sydneys 1595 VCH iii, 78, Sydny 1610 Speed. '(At the) wide well-watered land,' from OE  sid, 'wide' and eg . The famous Sidney family were owners here before their association with Penshurst, and appear to have derived their name from this manor (A. B.).