Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Fifehead Sydling 1795 Boswell 1923 Kelly

• Sidelince 1086 DB(f.79b)

• Fifhyde, Fyfhide 1244 Ass

• Fifide Abbatis de Middelton' 1280 ib

• Vyfhyde 1329 Winch

• Vifhude 1327 Winch

• Viffhide 1332 SR

• Fifhide 1392 Winch

• Fyfhuyde 1432 Winch

• Fyfehyde 1482 Winch

• Sydling Fifehide c.1800,1870 Hutch3

Etymology

Fifehead Sydling (local), Fifehead Sydling 1795 Boswell, 1923 Kelly, Sidelince 1086 DB (f. 79b), Fifhyde , Fyfhide 1244Ass , Fifide Abbatis de Middelton '1280ib , Vyfhyde 1329Winch , Vifhude 1327Winch , Viffhide 1332 SR, Fifhide 1392Winch , Fyfhuyde 1432Winch , Fyfehyde 1482Winch , Sydling Fifehide c.1800, 1870 Hutch3, '(the estate of) five hides', from fīf and hīd , cf. Fifehead N. par. 2 95 and Fifehead M. par. 3 6. The DB holding was assessed at five hides (VCHDo 385), v. par. name supra . The early affix Abbatis de Middelton ' ('of the abbot of Milton', from gen.sg. of Lat  abbas 'abbot') refers to its possession by Milton Abbey (3 222). Like Up Sydling infra , it was a separate tithing in Modbury hundred in 1327, 1332 SR, etc.According to Hutch3 4502: 'Up-Sydling is properly the farm, and Fifehide the hamlet adjoining.' There is mention of a mill here in 1086 DB, cf. the early watermill at Up Sydling infra .