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.

Swindon

Major Settlement in the Parish of Swindon

Historical Forms

  • Suindone, Suindune 1086 DB
  • Swindona, Swindone 1156 RegMalm
  • Swinedon 1205 ClR
  • Nether Swindon', Alta Swindon' 1275 RH
  • Westswyndon, Heyswyndon, Chepyng Swyndon 1289 Ass
  • Hegheswyndon 1311 Cl 1324 FA
  • Swyndon Valence 1324 Ipm
  • Higheswindon 1409 IpmR
  • Eastswindon al. Netherswindon 1642 WIpm
  • Swendone 13th RegMalm
  • Haute Swendon 1255 RH
  • Westsweyndon 1279 Ass
  • Sweyndon 1473 Pat
  • Alta Swundone 1275 RH

Etymology

'Swine down or open land,' v. dun . High Swindon was no doubt the district round the old church, which stands high.East , West and Nether Swindon doubtless correspond to Eastcott , Westcott and Nethercott infra . Chepyng from the market here, v. cieping . Adomarus de Valence held the manor in 1316 (FA).