Hempstead
Major Settlement in the Parish of Hempstead
Historical Forms
- Henepsteda, Hemesteda 1086 DB
- Hempstede 1121–45 NCReg Hy3,1238,13 Binh 1257,1286 Ass 1302,1316 FA 1327 Ipm 1329,1366 Cl 1335to1362 Pat 1346,1440 FF 1364 Fine 1583 AD
- Hemsted(e) 1176 NCReg 13 Binh 1201 Cur 1201to1455 FF 1209to1286 Ass 1243 Fees 1254–75 Val 1275 RH 1285 Ch 1333 SR 1368 Cl 1428 FA 1492 Bodl
- Hamsted(e) 1179 P 1214 FF
- Hemested 1185 RotDom
- Hamestede 1214 Cur
- Hemmested 1250 Ass
- Henstede 1269 Ass 1291 Tax 1422 Cl
Etymology
A plausible origin, suggested by several spellings, is OE hænep, henep 'hemp' and stede (v. Sandred 1963: 181). No certainty is possible with such variation in the spellings, but this explanation ought to have priority over others in this context.