Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Estwidun(e), Estwidone, Estwydone 13th ElyCh 1327 ElyF 1474

• Widdon(e), Wyddon(e) 1309 1475 et freq

• Wyddon(e) super le Redelond 1302 ElyCh

• Nortwyddon(e) 1303 Ct

• (North)wytdone(cnol) 1309 ib

• (North)wytdoneknot 1317 ib

• West Wytdone 1474 ib

• Whiddon 1392 Wren

• The Widdens c.1825 O.S.

Etymology

This is a difficult name and the forms are too late for any satisfactory interpretation. If the form wytdone is significant, then it may be that the first element is the common word hwīt , 'white,' or the rare wiht discussed infra 351. The name has left further traces in Widen Close in Mepal and Widden Close in Witcham (infra 370) which must take their name from the same dūn .