Frag Barrow
Early-attested site in the Parish of Ditchling
Historical Forms
- Frekeberge, Frekebergh, Frekeberwe 1087–1100 Lewes 1261,1279,1288,1294 Ass 1327 SR
- Fregeburgh 1304 Ass
- Firkebergh 1391 Cicestr
- Fretebergh 1415 SAC16
- Freckborowe 1579 SAC50
- Freckbarrow 1586 SRS14,158
- Frackebarrowe 1607 Recov 1615 SRS19,251
- Freekbarrowe 1608 SRS14,159
- Fragbarrow 1840 TitheMap
Etymology
The solution of this difficult name is possibly to be found when we associate it with Frankbarrow in Keymer supra 276, a mile and a half to the north-west, and Freek's Fm in Clayton, half a mile still further to the north-west. We have seen above (260) that Freek's goes back to frith from OE fyrhþe. In the Ipm of 1415 quoted in SAC 16, we have mention of 'the chase called Fretebergh and Shortfrith .' It is clear that in this neighbourhood there was an extensive piece of woodland called frith . The farm was named after it and so were two hills in it, perhaps on its bounds. If so the names both mean 'woodland- hill.' In the endeavour to distinguish them one was bound to undergo considerable corruption. One became Frag Barrow, the other Frankbarrow.