Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• in prato quod vocatur Runingmeđ inter Windleshoram et Stanes 1215 MagnaCarta

• Runimede 1215 Ch 1318 Pat 1215

• Runemede 1215 Pat

• Ronemede 1342 ChertseyReg 1467 Chertsey

• Ronymed(e) 1314 Chertsey

• Ronimede 1333 ib

• Ronnemed' 1316 Turner

• Ronneymede 1514 Ct

• Ronney me(a)de 1548,1605 LRMB

• Runnynge meade ib.

Etymology

There can be little doubt that the full original form of this name was Runingmed , the other forms representing natural reductions of it. If that is so, we are doubtless right in accepting the etymology suggested by the Rev. J. B. Johnston (Times Lit. Supplt , 27. xii. '17), viz. that it is a compound of ME  runinge , 'taking counsel' and mæd . The name suggests that the mead had been the scene of earlier unrecorded assemblies, from which it had already earned this significant description.