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.

High Head Castle

Early-attested site in the Parish of Dalston

Historical Forms

  • peel of Hegheved 1324 Cl
  • castrum suum de Heyheued 1357 Carliol
  • le Chastel de Hehed 1370 ib
  • Heigheved Castr' 1375 IpmR
  • the Castle of Hyghett al. Highened (sic) al. Highed 1549 FF
  • Highyate Cas. 1576 S 1610 Speed
  • Hegatcastle 1692 StJ
  • Highgate 1750 Pococke
  • Hegheued 1272 For
  • la Hegheved 1316 Fine
  • Highhed 1441 ib
  • Highett al. High heade 1619 ExchKR
  • High-yeat 1731 PR

Etymology

The first element is OE  (a)h, 'high,' the second is OE  hēafod, 'hill.' “It is built on the brink of a rocky precipice” (H ii, 427). Highett was corrupted to Highyate and this in turn to Hegat .