Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Gingeforde(s)halk 1323 For

• Chyng(g)eforde(s)halk(e) 1323,1369 For

• Chyngford halk, Hauk(e) 1498 ERxiv 1501 For

Etymology

Hawkwood is near Gingeforde (s )halk 1323For , Chyng(g)eforde (s )halk (e )1323, 1369For , Chyngford halk , Hauk (e )1498 ER xiv, 1501For . ME  halke , perhaps a diminutive of OE  healh (NED s. v .), 'corner, recess, hiding-place.' The wood is on the parish boundary and probably occupied originally the whole angle projecting into Waltham. The same angle is referred to in Hawksmouth Fm infra 33. Cf. also Hawk Fm infra 356, Beneshalk c. 1300, Quyntans Halke (in Peldon) 1440ColchA , Shythawke (in Wix) t. Hy 8 Dugd iv, 517, Halkhouse (in Colchester) 1388 Oath, the prestes hawke (in Tolleshunt D'Arcy) t. Hy 8Survey , Halk (e )wer (e ) (in Headington (O)) 1225, 1240 Frides, Hawk Mill (in Little Wilbraham (C)), molendinum de Halk 1279 RH, and Sidhalk (St) 1230 For. These numerous forms are against Wallenberg's explanation of Halke and Westhawk (PN K 295, 417) as deriving from OE  healh, pure and simple.