English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Hempsalls Fen

Early-attested site in the Parish of Willingham

Historical Forms

  • Hemeshale 1221 ElyA
  • Heueneshal(e) 1251 ElyCouch 1277 Ely 1279 RH 1352 Layer
  • Hempshill 1575 Rental
  • Hempsallfen 1604 Atkyns
  • The Hempsall c.1840 TA

Etymology

Hempsalls Fen is Hemeshale 1221ElyA , Heueneshal (e )1251Ely Couch , 1277Ely , 1279 RH, 1352Layer , Hempshill 1575Rental , Hempsallfen 1604Atkyns , The Hempsall c. 1840TA . 'The nook of Hefin ,' a derivative of the recorded Hefa , v. healh . Cf. Heveningham (Sf), DBHeueniggeham .