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.

Highdown Heath and Hydon Ridge

Early-attested site in the Parish of Hambledon

Historical Forms

  • Heghedon 1235 Ass 1358 Loseley
  • Heygdon 1361 ib
  • Heydon 1385 FF
  • Hydoneshethe 1448 Loseley
  • Hydouneshethe 1453 ib
  • Hidonfeild 1632 Harl
  • Hydens Heath 1749 B
  • High Down 1789 LandC

Etymology

Highdown Heath and Hydon Ridge (6″) is Heghedon 1235Ass (p), 1358Loseley (p), Heygdon 1361 ib., Heydon 1385 FF (p), Hydoneshethe 1448Loseley , Hydouneshethe 1453 ib., Hidonfeild 1632Harl , Hydens Heath 1749 B, High Down 1789 L and C.'The high down,' v. heah , dun . A height of nearly 600 feet is reached here.