Fineshade
Major Settlement in the Parish of Fineshade
Historical Forms
- Eccl. S. Marie de Castrohyniel c.1200 BM
- prioratus de Castro Iniel, Inyel 1226 WellsR
- Castle Himel 1227 Ch
- Castro Himel 1228 Pat
- Castle Himel now called priory of Finesheved 1324 Ch
- Castrum Hymel 1330 Dugdvi,449
- Finnisheved t.John For
- Finesheved 1226 WellsR 1227 Ch 1246 Cl
- Fineshed' 1246 Cl
- Finnesheved 1234 Pat 1341 ADii
- Finneshevet 1254 For
- Finnis- 1323 Ipm
- Fynneshed 1363 ADii
- Fynnishead 1639 Recov
- Finshead 1702 Poll
- Finshed 1712 Morton
- Fenesheved 1316 FA
Etymology
The origin of the name of the castle which later became the site of the priory is unknown. If it was (H )iniel or (H )inyel rather than Hymel or Himel , we may hazard the suggestion that it was named after one Ingeld , a name which would naturally yield Inyeld in ME , and is found in Latin as Hinieldus . Loss of final d would readily take place. Close at hand, in the parish of Bulwick we have in a fine of 1223, mention of a crucem Ingaldi , which may contain this name partially Scandinavianised, and refer to the same person. The priory was founded a little to the north-east of the castle. It would seem to have taken its second name from the hill on which it stands. This would seem to have been named 'Finn's head,' v. heafod , but the reason for such a name is obscure. For the pers. name cf. Finnesthorpe in the list of Peterborough land-sureties (BCS 1130). For the use of heafod in this county, cf. the field-names Tostisheuyd in Twywell (1251For ), Cynestanes heafod in Kettering (956 BCS 943), Wyvelesheved in Armston (1250Buccleuch ).