Flamstead
Major Settlement in the Parish of Flamstead
Historical Forms
- Fleamstede 990 KCD672 c.1250
- Flāmestede 1086 DB 1255 Ass
- Flamestude 1097–1113 Gesta
- Flamsteda 1165 P
- Flamested(e) 1235 FF 1252 Pat
- Flamestade 1332 ADi
- Flemestede 1163 Sebright 1206 Cur
- Flemsted(e) 1248 Ass 1263 Ipm 1266 Misc 1272 Pat
- Flemstude 1275 RH
- Flemmestede 1255 Ass
- Flampsted 1304 Ipm 1594 Sess
Etymology
'Place of refuge,' v. stede . The exact significance here is uncertain, but it may be noted that Flamstead lies near the county boundary. For such an association of refugees with a county boundary cf. the history of Flimwell (PN Sx 452). It may be more than a coincidence that the manor of Flamstead was held by the tenure of providing protection for travellers.