Survey of English Place-Names

Etymology

Harrimere Drain. Cf. Hauering (e )mere , Haueryngmere 1221ElyA , 1251ElyCouch et freq to 1564Ct , maram de Haueringe 1279ElyM , Auering (g )(g )(e )mere 1251ElyCouch , 1277Ely , 1279 RH, la mare de Aringe 1285Ass , Herymer 1531Cole xlvi, Har (r )ymeare 1561Ct , Har (r )ymare 1583 ib., 1617 Fenland v, Har (r )ymore 1611AddCh , Harramore 1612Eg . The first element of this name is probably a singular name in -ing identical with the second element in Quadring (L), Quadheuringe , Quedhaueringe 1086 DB, Quadringe 1271Ass . This is from OE  *hæfer , cognate with a lost Ger  haver , 'higher, raised ground,' Dan  Hevring , v. ing and PN in -ing 85–6. The mere has now disappeared, but several neighbouring names have reference to rising land in the fens. Cf. Barway supra 197, Henny Hill (infra ) and Fordy Hill and Padney Hills. The actual reference may, perhaps, be to the piled causeway mentioned s. n. Old Fordey supra 198. Hence 'lake by the piece of higher, dry land in the fen.'