Freek's Fm
Early-attested site in the Parish of Clayton
Historical Forms
- Fryth 12th Lewes
- atte Ferkche 1332 SR
Etymology
Freek's Fm is Friths Fm in the 18th and 19th cents. (M.S.H.).It is probably Fryth (12thLewes ) and to be associated with the family of John atte Ferkche (1332 SR). It would seem that OE fyrhþe, side by side with the more usual frith , developed sporadically to ferkth and, with metathesis, to frekth or freek .For such a stopping of OE continuant h or g to k , cf. Tilkhurst and Tickeridge infra 333, 273 and Heckfield (Ha), c. 1300 BM Hegfeld , 1316 FA Heghfeld . See further Frankbarrow and Frag Barrow infra 276, 301.