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THE TOWN of Hetton-le-Hole, halfway between Sunderland and Durham City, has only been socalled since the 16th century.

Back in our earliest records it was instead Heppedun, a name that was slowly twisted out of shape by the locals, who could not bring themselves to waste time on the whole three syllables.

Even Heppedun though is not the whole story: the original, original name would have been Heppedun, a name in two parts.

Now heppe, back in the seventh or eighth century when this name was likely given, meant rosehip in Anglo-Saxon, a plant with red berries, familiar to anyone who goes rambling in the autumn months. It can be found in several English placenames including Hebden Bridge and Heptonstall in the South Pennines.

Dun, on the other hand, meant simply hill, giving us the Rose Hip Hill that must have been quite a sight in those Dark Age Octobers of a thousand years ago.

But what about le-Hole, perhaps the more memorable part of the modern name? Well, it was a late addition and was not recorded in the Middle Ages C though it must have already been in use then. It does, however, makes perfect sense in the context of the surroundings.

Modern Hetton-le-Hole lies in a hollow on the edge of the east Durham plateau and that is what the hole in question was.

Finally, it should be noted that Hetton-le-Hole is not to be confused with Ryedales Hutton-le- Hole to the south. Yes, le-Hole in both cases refers to a hollow. But the Ryedale Hutton was originally Hoh-tun or, as we would say, Settlement on the Hill Spur C not a rosehip in sight.

ñ Simon Young is a historian and author of AD500.

2:19pm Friday 9th May 2008

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