Vernham Dean
county:
coords:
Hampshire
SU3456
Vernham's Dean
otherwise: Ferneham, 1210; Fernham, 1232; Farnhamsdene, 1410
VERNHAM('S) DEAN
The original settlement name may be hypothetical Old English 'Fearnham'='bracken estate', but the 'Farnham' in Surrey is certainly 'Fearnhamm'='bracken hemmed-in place', ie: 'nook, corner, enclosed area', typically land surrounded on 3 sides by some natural obstacle. The use of 'ham' in place names died out early, so 'hamm' is more likely if this is not an ancient place.
The modern name means 'valley of Vernham', though the genitive form of the place name in the new name is unusual in a creation of about the 15th century (1410 'Farnhamsdene'). However there is variation on this point; the OS 1inch county index (1974) gives an ''s' in the parish name but none in the village name. The place is in the broad valley above the source of the Bourne Rivulet at Upton, a typical 'denu'='wide flattish bottomed valley'. It is distinguished from 'Vernham Street' (1324 'la Strete') on the hill to the east. The 'V-' is not recorded till the reign of Elizabeth I, but it is a truly ancient Wessex dialect feature dating back to at least late Old English (cf eg Fisiak 1984). The fact that only 'F-' shows up in early records is a tribute to centralized administration.
The history of this place name is, however, more complicated, for during the Anglo Saxon period it was known at one time as 'AEscmere' (cf Grundy 1927: 281-3).
Listed in Domesday Book
- Esseburne Hundred - Hantscire
Period - 11th century
