Heshedahl/ Hesjedahl
Amy	new to the forum.. and jumping right in to ask a question like an annoying three year old..[;)] my question is, what is the meaning/ origin of this name. i'd appreciate knowing if it is a farm name or something else.
Brining	Asking questions is what the forum is about [;)] In the 1865 census there are 10 Hesjedal/Hesjedalen farms located in Oppland (1), Hordaland (8) and Nord Trondelag (1). Carla
jwiborg	Hi, if you break up the name: a "hesje" is a hay-drying rack. dahl/dal means valley (dale). So the farm could maybe look something like this... [url="http://www.hint.no/faggrupper/samf/seksjonen/bilder/roerosgalleri1/images/prevs/prev42.jpg"]Click here[/url] [:)] Jan
Borge	There are also other possibilities. It is often not possible to explain the meaning of names in the modern language. Many of those farmnames are more than 1000 years old. Hesjedahl contains a prefix and suffix - "Hesje" and "dahl". The suffixs is easy - dahl = wally. So what does the prefix "Hesje" mean? According to "Oluf Rygh: Norwegian Farm Names", names containing "Hesje" as the first part, is often connected to a river, as Hesje was common as a part of names for rivers several places around the country. We find this in places like Gaula in Aalen, (Hessdalen where the UFO is seen), Hesjebækken in Værdalen, and other places. Another possibility is that the name contains 1 part "esja" (Hesja), an old name for different species of stone which was easy to split, like soapstone (Klæbersten) slate (Skifer), and we find names like Hesvik in Kvinnherred and Hesjedal in Bruvik. And the hay alternative: Of Hesja, a rack to dry the hay, then often in combination with "eng" (meadow) "Hesj-eng". To be able to determine which explanation goes for your "Hesjedahl", we need to view that in accordance to where it is located - the topography often gives the explanation.
Amy	i found out that my grandmother was born in 1905 in Ulvic/Ulvig... my mother had another name written in her book, Hardunger.. which so far has proved elusive on the net. i appreciate everyone who has helped me out..[:)] i have found out more in the last day or two than i have in weeks thanks again!
Borge	That is probably Ulvik in Hardanger - Hordaland. Check this URL to the Hardangerportal: http://www.hardangerportalen.no/english/index.jsp?kat=10 There are some nice photos from Ulvik. Hesjedal must probably be the farm in Brudvik in Hordaland.