Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Hennecastr(e)' 1086 DB 1189 Kendii,168 1190 1230–46 Cockers 1301 Ass3

• Henkastre, Hencastre, Henkaster 1210–20 Kendii,117 1303 Ipm 1609 Comm

• Henkestre 1539 Kendii,175

• Henecastre 1237–1310 Kendi,8,14,ii,168,172 1245–65 Cockers

• Hanecastre 1260 FF 1270,1293 Kendii,170–1 1537 ib

• Hanekaster 1585 ib

• Hinkaster 1301 Kendi,138

• Hincastre, Hyncastre, Hincaster 1530 1777 M

• Heyncaster 1417 Kendii,174

• Hyndcastell 1544 Kendii,132

Etymology

'Fortification haunted by wild hens', v. henn , ceaster , which usually denotes a Roman fortification or villa; no such remains have been noted here, but it has been supposed that a Roman road passed near this place (cf. Road III, i, 20 supra ). The mounds here are of glacial origin (Ferguson 35).