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.

Bowdown Ho, Bowdown Fm, Bowdown Copse

Other OS name in the Parish of Greenham

Historical Forms

  • Bowdens, Bowdens Copice 1547 LRMB
  • Bowdown 1840 TA

Etymology

, Bowdens , Bowdens Copice 1547LRMB , Bowdown 1840TA , possibly manorial , from John Bovedon of Boxford , who died in 1450 seised of land in Boxford and Greenham (VCH iv, 45) ; but a meaning ' (place) above the hill ' ( v. bufan , dūn ) suits the site , and the family - name may be derived from this place .