Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• þeddewurþe 675 BCS 13th

• þeddeuuerþe 933 BCS697 13th

• Đæddeuurðe 1062 KCD812 13th

• Theddeworth 1225 Ass

• Suthtedeworth 1279 Ass

• Tadorne (sic), Tadeorde 1086 DB

• Tadeswurthe 1201 FF

• Tadeworthe 1274 Ass

• Tadeworth 1291 Tax

• Taddewurth' 1242 Fees

• Taddeworth 1327 Pat

• Thademorth 1279 Ass 1332,1344 SR

• Norththadeworth 1332 SR

• Thadworth 1398 SR

• Tadworth 1540 LBa

Etymology

The second element in this name is worþ. The first is probably a personal name, but it is impossible to determine its form with any certainty. Dr Ritter suggests that we may have to do with a pet-form Þēodda of one of the OE  Þēod -names (cf. OGer Deotto , Dietta , Fris Tjaddo ). The difficulty remains of explaining the frequent T (h )ad -forms. Dr Ritter suggests that they may be examples of AN a for e , but they are too persistent for that explanation to be entirely satisfactory. On the other hand persistent Anglo-Norman influence is not unlikely in the neighbourhood of the Warenne Castle of Reigate and the Clare Castle of Blechingley, and it may be noted in addition that the change from initial th to t can hardly be due to any other cause.