Highfure
Early-attested site in the Parish of Billingshurst
Historical Forms
- la Fure 1256 SRS31 1380 LibE
- ate Fure 1316 Ipm
- Laffeure 1333 Cl
- Laffure 1338 FF
- Foer 1347 Pat 1348 FF 1417 IpmR
- Vure, del Vure a.1370 SRS31,60
- la Netherfure 1338 ADB11158
- Stonifure 14th AD10103
Etymology
From the point of view of form this might be OE fȳr , 'fire,' pointing to the site of a beacon here, but it is difficult to see what purpose it could have served. The farm is on a low hill, but there is higher ground to the north and to the south. There are other unidentified fere-fure names in Sussex, Pedefer (1292), Northere and Suthfere (1354), Chaldefer (1520) and Herdefure in the Durford Cartulary. Similarly in Surrey we have la Netherfure (1338AD B 11158) and Stonifure (14thAD 10103). The compounds with chalde -, herde -, stoni - cannot contain OE fȳr , and it may be suggested that the second element is rather OE fyrh , dat. sg. of furh , 'furrow, ditch.' Such a term would go well with these first elements. Its application in Highfure is less clear. It might possibly refer to the shallow depression between the hill on which Highfure stands and the hill to the south of it.