Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Netheshird 1020–2 (l. 13 Sawyer 984) KCD 740

• Neteshirda 1044–7 (l. 13 Sawyer 1055) KCD 785

• Snateshirda 1086 DB

• Neteshirde 1127–34 Holme 1150 BM 1254–75 Val 1254 NfA 1295 Ipm 1295 IpmR 1299,1317,1349 Pat e.14 Oxenedes 1314,1332 FF 1330 SR 1346 FA

• Netheshirde 1153–61 Holme

• Netteshird 1204 Bodl

• Neteshyrde 1257,1269,1286(p) Ass

• Netishird(e) 1275 RH 1311 NfD 1316 FA 1317 Bodl 1334 FF

• Netesherd(e) 1214 RP 1215 Ch 1317 InqAqd 1337 NfD 1339 NoD 1349,1395 Pat 1389 NoRec 1407,1410 FF

• Netisherd(e) 1275 RH 1309 NfD 1315 AD 1383 Pat 1489 Ipm 1535 VE

• Netysherd 1544 ib

• Neetisherde 1552 NfA

• Neatisheard 1645to1649 CtNeatishead&Irstead

• Netishurde 1365 Inq

• Nettisheade 1591 NfA

• Netteshead 1593 ib

Etymology

Ekwall (DEPN) considers the unique DB spelling with initial S - to be etymological, hence '*Snǣt 's household'. Zachrisson (54) regards this spelling as corrupt, very likely an inverted spelling. The second element is no doubt OE  hīred 'household', but the name should be construed as (ge )nēates hīred 'the vassal's household'.The prefix ge - usually disappears in place-names except when it belongs to the second element (v. Sandred 1985: 21 ff.). Another name which contains OE  (ge )nēat is Nethercott, recorded as Neatecote 1302Ass , from (ge )nēata cot (e ), in Whitstone Co (v. Svensson 71).

The church, dedicated to St Peter, was rebuilt in 1790. There are only fragments of the medieval church left (v. White 482, Pevsner 199).