Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Hescayth 1285 For 1346 GDR

• Eskeyth in foresta 1292 Ass

• Eskett 1576 PR(Greystoke)

• Hescath 1346 Cl, Pat

• Hesketh 1418 Orig

• Hascath 1351 Pat

• Haskethes 1394 ib

• Heskey 1369 Fine

• Hesket 1380,1404 Pat

• Hesketz 1407 ib

• Heskes 1467 ib

• Better Hesketh, Warrehesketh 1485 Pat

• Betterhesket, Warhesket 1489 ib

• Werheskett 1530 MinAcct

• War Hesket 1675 Ogilby

• Netherheskett 1530 MinAcct

• Hesketh superior, Heskett inferior 1541 LRMB

• Upper Heskett 1580 Border

• Over Hesketh 1619 ExchKR

• Low Heskett 1623 PR(Newbiggen)

• Hesket(t) apud spinam 1667 Devonshire

• subter spinam 1716 ib

• High Ascot 1770 Young

Etymology

This is one of three well-recorded English examples of the characteristically Scandinavian compound hest (a )skeið , containing ON  hestr , 'stallion', and skeið, 'course' or 'way.' The meaning is racecourse.The other two English names of this type are Hesketh in Lancashire by the Ribble (PN La 138) and Hesketh Grange in Felixkirk (PN NRY 198). For a possible third v. Heskayth infra 281. Hesket Newmarket (infra 277) has a different origin.A precise Norwegian parallel—Hæsta skædi —is quoted by Lindkvist (64) from the records of the see of Oslo, and East Scandinavian examples are given by Ekwall in IPN (90).

High Hesket is on the Roman road from Penrith to Carlisle at the point where it crosses a well-marked hill between the Eden and the Petteril. Low Hesket is a mile to the north on lower ground on the same road. Better is contrasted with Warre , i.e. 'worse' Hesket, Better being another name for High and Warre for Low Hesket.Cf. Warsemorton 1591 DKR xxxviii (infra 209). The spina in Hesket apud spinam , Hesket subter spinam , is Court Thorn infra 202, and the reference is clearly to Low Hesket, a mile away.