Farming Woods
Early-attested site in the Parish of Brigstock
Historical Forms
- boscus de Ferma c.1220 For
- la Ferme, Ferme 1235,1242 Cl
- boscus de Fermes t.Ed1 PeterbB 1281 Pat 1290 Ipm 1382 Cl
- Ferminwod 1229 Cl
- Fremyngwodes 1375 Pat
- Fermyng Wood 1551 Pat
- ballium de Firma de Bricstok, Firma de Bricstok 1248 Seld13
- in bosco de Firma 1254 ib
Etymology
The original name seems to have been descriptive of a piece of woodland held at a farm (ME ferme ) or rent. How Fermewood later became Ferming-wood or Farming-wood , unless it be through some process of folk-etymology, is obscure. Cf. further Farmyngeshawe t. Ed 3For . For such a late and hybrid ing - compound we may however compare Templeton (Berks), held by the Knights Templars, which is called Templington templariorum in 1284 (Ass ).