Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Hepdenbryge, Hepdenbrigg(e), Hepden Brig 1399 HAS 1531 Stansf 1571 Ct 1596 PRHept

• Heptenbridge 1508 HAS

• Heptenbrige 1561 WillY

• Heptinbrige 1590 ib

• Heptonbridg(e) 1578 Stansf 1634 PRHept 1660 WillS 1775 Watson

• Heptonbrig, Heptonbrigg(e) 1609 Watson 1634 HAS 1641 WillY

• (le) Hebdenbrigg(e) 1638 FGr 1654 PRHept

• Hebden Bridge 1822 Langd

Etymology

'The bridge across Hebden Water', v. Hebden Water (RNs.), Hebden Dale 191infra , brycg . The two main variants Hepton - and Hebden - are due respectively to progressive and retrogressive assimilation to the unvoiced -p - and the voiced -d -; Hepton - may also be in part due to the influence of Heptonstall 191infra . The bridge is the narrow bridge crossing the river at the upper end of Bridge Gate (cf. Jervoise 103–4, fig. 55).