Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Ratherheved 1348 Kendi,323 1349 Cl

• Ratherhead(e) 1570 1731 ib

• Ratherheath 1836 KCR

• Roderhead 1584 HMCx,304

• Roadridd 1709 Kendiii,159

• Rodreth 1720 ib

• Raderhead 1579 NB 1580 Kendi,157 1717 Ct

• Radridd 1709 Kendiii,143

Etymology

The first el. could be ON  rǫð (gen.sg. raðar ) 'bank, ridge, long ridge of gravel, etc.' which is found in some Norw p.ns. (cf. NGIndl 73, Radøen NG xi, 401), but as hēafod 'headland, hill' is locally often combined with a pers.n. we might have the OG  pers.n. Rather , which is found in English sources as Rader , Rather , and Ra (h )er (cf Forssner 206).