Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Chedelingefelt c.1130 AddCh

• Chideringfald c.1180 StOsmund

• Chidingefeld c.1185 StOsmund

• Chidingefaud c.1195 1596 SrWills

• Chedingefeld c.1185 StOsmund 1229 FF

• Chedingeford 1204 Cur

• Chedingefold 1303 Ch

• Chedyngefold 1285 Ass

• Chiddingefaude 1227 ClR

• Chiddingefold 1300 Ch

• Chedingfaud 1235,1255 Ass

• Chetyngfaud 1279 FF

• Chedyngfold 1327 Banco

• Chudingefaud c.1250 AddCh

• Chudingefeld(e), Chudyngefeld(e) 1287 Cl 1294 Ass

• Chudyngefold(e) 1313 Ass 1344 Loseley

• Chidingfaud 1255 Ass

• Chudingfeld 1279 Ass 1402 IpmR

• Chudyngfold 1328 Ipm 1382 Ass

• Cheddyngefold 1304 Ipm

• Chuddingfold 1308 FF

• Chuddyngefold 1337 FF

• Chiddingfold 1597 SrWills

• Chiddenfold 1615 FF

Etymology

Chiddingfold lies in a hollow, and it may be that the name records that fact. Ekwall (Studies 68) shows good reason for postulating an OE  ceodor , 'bag, hollow' or the like, in explanation of Cheddar (So), and Chiddingfold might possibly be from an OE  ceoderingafald or -feld , 'fold (or open land) of the dwellers in the hollow.'