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.

Houndean Bottom

Early-attested site in the Parish of St Ann Without (Lewes)

Historical Forms

  • Hundeden(e) 1230 Lewes 1261 Ass 1327 SR
  • Houndeden(e) 1230 Lewes 1315 ADiii 1347 Ipm
  • Hunden 1477 IpmR
  • Hownden 1493 Ipm

Etymology

Either 'hounds' valley,' from OE  hunda-denu , or 'Hunda's valley.' OE  Hunda is not on record and Hund -names are not well-attested, but such a pers. name is possible, cf. Honington (L), DB Hundindune . The p.n. Hundandenu (BCS 1213) cited under Hundridge (PN Bk 225) is subject to suspicion as there is an alternative reading Huntandenu .

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site