Higham Ferrers
Major Settlement in the Parish of Higham Ferrers
Historical Forms
- Hecham 1086 DB
- Hekham 1247 Ass
- Heccham Ferrar' 1279 Cl
- Heccam Fereres late13th BM
- Hegham Ferrers 1300 Ch
- Higham Ferys 1517 DBE
- Higham Ferries or Higham Ferrers 1675 Ogilby
- Higham Ferries 1702 Poll
Etymology
'High ham.' The town stands high above the Nene valley. The family of Ferrers are first mentioned in connection with the place in 1166 (RBE), when the Comes de Ferariis held the manor. For the history of the manorial addition v. Complete Peerage iv, 195.