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.

Withdean

Early-attested site in the Parish of Patcham

Historical Forms

  • Wictedene 1091–1125 ADA14176 12th Lewes
  • Wistendena 1121 ADA464
  • Wysteden 1296 SR
  • Wicstedena 1121 ADA463
  • Wighteden 12th Lewes21
  • Wittedene 1268 Ipm
  • Weytenden 1279 Ass
  • Weghdean 1550 SAC35
  • Wighdeane 1599 Pat
  • Wighting 1635 MarL
  • Wightden 1648 Recov
  • Weightdeane al. Wightden al. Wigden 1676 SRS20,36

Etymology

'Wihta's valley,' v. denu . Wihta would be a regular pet-form for one of the OE  pers. names in Wiht -. Cf. Wightwick (St), DBWisteuuic . The modern form is corrupt.

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site

Other OS name

Major Settlement