English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Little Berkhamsted

Major Settlement in the Parish of Little Berkhamsted

Historical Forms

  • Berchehāstede 1086 DB
  • Berkamsted 1211 Fees
  • Parvam Berkamstede 1244 ib
  • Little Berchamstede 1253 Ch
  • Berkhamstede Mules 1313 FF
  • Berkhamstede Moeles 1350 Ipm
  • Barkehamsted Parva 1539 LP

Etymology

'Birch tree homestead,' v. hamstede . Little to distinguish from Berkhamsted supra 27–8 at the other end of the county.Nicholas de Moles held the manor in 1235 (Fees).