English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

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.

Places in the same Parish