Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Pandenhal(e) (sic) 1221 ElyA 1251 ElyCouch

• Padenhal(e) ib.

• Padenalefen 1450 Ct

• Padnale 1432–79 ib

• Padnal(l) 1561 ib

• Padnoll 1658 BLAcct

Etymology

Padnal Fen is Pandenhal (e ) (sic)1221ElyA , 1251ElyCouch , Padenhal (e )ib., Padenhal (e )fen ) t. Hy 3WMP , 1277Ely , Padenalefen 1450Ct , Padnale 1432–79 ib., Padnal (l )1561 ib., Padnoll 1658BLAcct . As always in Pad -names one is presented with the alternative of derivation from the OE  personal name Pad (d )a or from OE  pada , 'toad, frog.'In fenland one is naturally inclined to the latter, with what measure of justification it is impossible to say. Hence either 'frog's or Pada 's nook,' v. healh . For the former we may perhaps compare Pathewere , Padewere 1086 InqEl, a fishery of the monks of Ely.