Norderhov

Norderhov is a former municipality in Buskerud county, Norway.

Municipality

Norderhov municipality was established on January 1, 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt). According to the 1835 census the municipality had a population of 7,234. On 22 April 1852 the city of Hønefoss was separated from Norderhov to constitute a separate administrative unit. In 1857 the rural district Ådal was separated from Norderhov, leaving Norderhov with a population of 6,846.

In 1938 a part of Norderhov with 268 inhabitants was moved to Hønefoss, and on 1 January 1964 the rest was merged with Hønefoss, Ådal, Tyristrand and Hole to form the new municipality Ringerike. Norderhov was by far the largest municipality prior to the merger, with a population of 15,143.

Parish

The municipality (originally the parish) was named after the old farm Norderhov (Old Norse: Njardarhof), since the first church was built there. The first element is the genitive case of the name Njord, the last element is hof, Old Norse for 'temple'. Until 1865 the name was written Norderhoug. The parish of Norderhov (Norderhov prestegjeld) included churches located at Norderhov, Haug, Lunder, Tyristrand, Ådal, Veme and Hønefoss.