Fyfield
Early-attested site in the Parish of Eastleach Martin
Historical Forms
- Fishide, Fishyde (sic for Fifhyde) 12,13,1216–43 Glouc
- Fif(h)ida, Fif(h)ide Hy1 Monast 1313 Ric1 Cur 1372 Ass 1207 GlChvi,12 1221 Ass c.1230 SR 1248,1287 1327
- Vifhida c.1140 BM
- Fyfeld 1566,1587 FF
- Fifield 1777 PR
Etymology
'(An estate of) five hides', v. fīf , hīd . A hide was originally the land needed for the support of a single family, and in p.ns. it is usually found in single units or multiples of five, cf. Fifield, Fyfield (O 351, W 328, etc., EPN i, 246). On the unit of five hides as the basis of the Old English obligation to provide one soldier for the fyrd , cf. C. Warren Hollister in Speculum xxxvi, 61–74.