Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Hemenales 1376 FF

• Hemenalis alias Fremalis 1510 M

• Hemnallys alias Fremnallys alias Dounham Hall 1544 FF

• Fremingnalles 1582 HMCx

• Hemnals alias Tremnals 1592 M

• Fremnoll 1594 N

• Frennals alias Hannales 1605 EAviii

• Hemenhale 1285 Ass

Etymology

Fremnells is Hemenales 1376FF , Hemenalis alias Fremalis 1510 M, Hemnallys alias Fremnallys alias Dounham Hall 1544FF , Fremingnalles 1582 HMC x, Hemnals alias Tremnals 1592 M, Fremnoll 1594 N, Frennals alias Hannales 1605 EA viii, Tremnals alias Hemenhales 1627, Tremnals vulgarly Fremnells 1768 M.The earliest forms are manorial, and commemorate the possessions here of the family of John de Hemenhale (1285Ass ). Cf. Hemnall Street supra 23. The later forms are difficult. There is evidence for a change of initial h to f in Filbert Haugh (PN NbDu 85) and in the early forms of Hinchingbrooke (PN BedsHu 261–2), but this will not account for the Fr -. In 1248 (FF) Giles de Tremall is mentioned in connection with Leyton. It is possible that some member of his family, which must have derived from Thremhall infra 533, held land here and gave name to the place. Change of initial th to f is common.