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.

Fresden Fm

Early-attested site in the Parish of Highworth

Historical Forms

  • Fersedon 1263 Ipm 1277 Rental 1278 Ct
  • Ferseden 1307 FF
  • Fressinden 1267 Abbr
  • Fershesdon 1308 Ipm 1310 FF 1332 SR
  • Fershesdon juxta Heyworth 1360 FF
  • Fersheston 1314 ib
  • Fersshedon by Esthrop 1360 Cl
  • Freshesden 1344 FF
  • Fresshedoun 1392 Cl
  • Freshden 1439 IpmR
  • Fressheden 1535 VE
  • Freshdeane 1540 MinAcct
  • Fresshdeane al. Ferchesdeane 1541 LP
  • Versshedon 1365 Ipm 1367 Pat
  • Fersthusdon 1369 BM
  • Frissheton 1392 Cl
  • Frisheden 1418 IpmR
  • Frysdon 1516 Recov
  • Freshdean al. Frisden 1699 ib
  • Frisston 1773 AandD

Etymology

The persistent sh -forms now available and the absence of any u -forms make it impossible to take fyrsen , 'covered with furze,' as the first element, as in DEPN. Rather it would seem to be the adjective fersc , 'fresh,' perhaps applied to the pasturage of the denu or dun . Cf. Surrendell infra 71.