Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Hueth 1254 EASxviii

• Ealdehethe a.1272 Colch

• La Hethe 1311 Ct 1374 Ct

• La Eldeheth(e), Eldeheth(e) 1310–11 Ct

• la Oldheth 1404 Ct

• Le Old(e)hith(e), Old(e)hith(e) 1404–6 1495 Paper

• Eldhith 1553 Oath

• Oldeheath 1580 Bodl

• Hethemede c.1490 Paper

Etymology

Old Heath is Hetha (m )1158–1237, He (i )a (m )1165–1202 Colch, Hueth 1254 EAS xviii, Ealdehethe a. 1272 Colch, La Hethe 1311 Ct, 1374Ct , La Eldeheth (e ), Eldeheth (e )1310–11 Ct, la Oldheth 1404Ct , Le Old (e )hith (e ), Old (e )hith (e )1404–6 ib, 1495 Paper, Eldhith 1553 Oath, Oldeheath 1580Bodl . 'The old landing place,' v. eald , hyð . The 6″ map has Old Hythe Meadow (Hethemede c. 1490 Paper) in Wivenhoe. The modern Heath is the normal development of the typical Essex hēth from OE  hȳð .