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.

Rigden Fm

Early-attested site in the Parish of Leigh

Historical Forms

  • Wrykden t.Hy8 MinAcct
  • Wrigden bridge 1534 LP
  • Rigdens 1823 G

Etymology

Rigden Fm (6″) is Wrykkendone c. 1350, Wrykeden , Wrykkendenbrygge 1462, Wrikkedenbridge c. 1470, Wrykeden 1501Norfolk , Wrykden t. Hy 8MinAcct , Wrigden bridge 1534 LP, Rigdens 1823 G. Dr Ritter suggests the possibility of an OE  personal name *Wricca , connected with the vb. wrick , 'to move from side to side.' The forms are too late for any certainty. The second element is denu .