Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Hecham 1086 DB 1185 RotDom 13th BM 1252 Ipm 1346 FA

• Hechham 1303 FA

• Hegham 1240–56 FF 1340 Pat

• Hegham Benstede 1493 Pat

• Heygham 1287 FF 1339

• Heghham 1307,1326 FF

• Hiegham 1305 FF

• Heigham 1333 ADi 1429 Pat

• Heigham hill 1501 Ct 1519 Monoux

• Heyham, Heyham Comyn, Heyham Baillol 1264 Misc 1277 QW 1318 ADii

• Heycham 1287 Ipm

• Heham 1274 RH

• Higham 1368 IpmR 1441 Pat

• Higham Bempsted 1546 LP 1547 AOMB

• Higham Bus(s)hes 1582 LansdR

• Hyham 1433 W'stowW

• Higham Bempstead otherwise Higham Hills 1563 Ct

• Baillol 1240 FF

• Comin 1274 RH

• Bensted 1305 FF

• Tummanhille 1277 QW

Etymology

'High home or enclosure,' v. heah , ham(m). Baillol from the family of Henry de Baillol (1240 FF), Comyn from that of William Comin (1274 RH), Benstede from that of John de Bensted (1305FF ). An earlier name for Higham Hill is probably Tummanhille 1277 QW. v. PN W 'stow 9, 10, 23, 43.