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.

Therfield

Major Settlement in the Parish of Therfield

Historical Forms

  • Đerefeld 1060 KCD809 14th
  • Derevelde 1086 DB
  • Furreuuelde ib.
  • Ferefeld 1114–30 Ramsey 1253 BM
  • Therefeld 1161–77 Ramsey 1185 Templars 1428 FA
  • Therefeud 1267–85 ADi c.1285 BM
  • Therfeud 1259 StPauls 1271 FF 1402 FA
  • Thirefeld t.Hy2 Dugdii t.Ric1 Ch 1301
  • Thyrfeld 1536 MinAcct
  • Terefeld(e) 1197 AC 1278 Ass
  • Terrefeld 1210–12 RBE
  • Terenfeud 1278 Ass
  • Tiresfeld 1212 Fees
  • Tyrefeud c.1275 Gesta
  • Tharfelde 1482 Pat
  • Tharfyld 1584 Recov
  • Tharfield 1691 StJohns
  • Tharfel 1700 Sess

Etymology

The first element is probably the OE  þyrre , 'withered, dry,' and the name may refer to an open stretch of dry, treeless country, cf. Turtley (PN D 286). v. feld . It is probable that Turville (PN Bk 196) has the same history.