Hempstead
Major Settlement in the Parish of Hempstead
Historical Forms
- Hamstedā, Hamesteda 1086 DB
- Hamsted(e) 1218–35 BM 1227 FF 1235 Ass
- Hamsted(e) Wateuill' 1254 Ass 1254 Pat 1303 FA 1375 Cl
- Hampsted 1331 BM 1420 Pat 1428 FA
- Hemsted(e) 1254 Ass 1274 RH 1319 FF 1346 FA 1409 IpmR
- Hemstyd 1541 EssPRii
- Hempted by Radewynter 1344 FF
- Hempstede 1376 Cl 1378 Fine 1389 IpmR 1419 Pat
- Hanstede 1285 Ass
Etymology
The frequency of Hem -, as distinct from Ham - forms, led Wallenberg (KPN 110–11) to suggest that Hemsted in Lyminge and another Hemsted and Hempstead in Kent, as also Hempstead (PN Sx 393, 440), could hardly be from OE hamstede. He suggested various possible alternatives, the most likely being that the first element was OE henep , hænep , 'hemp,' with early assimilation of np to mp . Compounds of stede with a plant- name are common, and in Essex, Sussex and Kent alike we should expect variation between e and a . His alternative explanation (æt þæm ) hēan stede , 'at the high place,' is not quite so likely, but it would explain the forms and suit the situation in this case. Wateuill ' from Robert de Watevil (t. Ric 1), v. M ii, 527.