Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Thinglond, Thyngland 1279 Ass

• Finkeland, Finglaund 1279 Ass

• Fyngelaund ib. (p)

• Fincheland 1302 ib

• Fingland 1332 SR 1399 IpmR

• Finland, Fingland and Fennland 1610 Denton

• Fyngelan, Fingelan 1292 Ass

• Fynglane 1482 Norfolk

• Fynlen 1496 Ipm

• Fynlangrig 1468 IpmR

• Fynlandrygg 1501 Norfolk

• Fynlanerygg 1501 FF

• Fynlayryg 1507 Orton

• Fynglarygge 1531 FF

• Finlarig(g) 1553 NB

• Fingland Rigge 1589 ExchKR

Etymology

The earliest forms given here, which are almost certainly to be associated with this place, suggest that in the first element there has been confusion of initial th and f . If so, Fingland, like Fingest (PN Bk 176) and Finedon (PN Nth 181), contains the word þing , 'assembly,' which may be either of English or Scandinavian origin, and means 'land where an assembly was held.' On the other hand, there is no other evidence for the initial th , and the forms from the Assize Roll of 1292 (with slight confirmation from much later documents), suggest that the correct form may have been Fingelan , with folk-etymologising to Fing (e )land , giving it a more common second element. If Fingelan is the correct form, and it may well be, for loss of final d in land - names has not been noted elsewhere, then we may compare Fingland and Finglen (Peebles), which Watson (C PNSc 140) and Johnston (PN Sc 180) derive from Finnglenn , later Fionnghleann , 'white glen,' the reference being to the valley here, below Finglandrigg. Cf. also Finnglenn (Hogan 421) and Fingland (PN Dumf 114, 128).