Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Hamelamestede 1086 DB

• Hamelhamstudia 12th ADvi

• Hamelamsted(e) 12th ADi 1227 Ch 1228 FF 1230 P

• Hamelhamsted(e) 1172 1290 Pat

• Hamelhampsted(e) 1280 Ch 1306 Pat 1428 FA

• Hamel Hamsted 1222 FF

• Hamalhamstud 1315 Pat

• Hemelhamsteda 1167 P

• Hemelhamsted(e) 1184 1303 FA

• Hemelhamstud ib.

• -hampstede 1309 Ch

• Hemel Hampstude t.Hy3 BM

• Hemel Hampstede 1327 Pat

• Hammelhamsted 1268,1309 Ch

• Helmenhamstede 1287 Ass

• Helmpsted t.Hy8 MinAcct

• Hemlamsted(e) 1339,1402 Pat 1428 FA 1430 Annales

• Hamlamsted 1517 Recov

• Hemlamsted al. Hempsted 1541 FF

• Hemsted 1598 N 1728 Sal

• Helmsted 1662 Fuller

• Hampsted al. Hemsted 1675 Ogilby

• Hamblehamsted 1565 AOMB

• Hæmele c. 705 (17th) Bodl (James 23)

Etymology

v. hamstede . The first element is the name of an old district (possibly a tribal name) called Hæmele c. 705 (17th) Bodl (James 23). This is probably connected with OE  hamel, the reference perhaps being to the broken and uneven character of the country round here with its steep hills and deep dells and valleys. Hemelhamstede through an intermediate Hemlamsted was reduced, as shown by the forms, to Hem (p )sted by the 16th century. The restoration in modern times of the original full spelling has a parallel in Bermondsey and Rotherhithe (PN Sr 16, 28).