Ninfield
Major Settlement in the Parish of Ninfield
Historical Forms
- Nerewelle 1086 DB
- Nanefeld 12th ADiii
- Nūnefeld 1204 ClR
- Nimenefeld, Nimenefeud 1255 FF 1280 Misc 13th AsM
- Nimenisfeud 1288 Ass
- Nimenesfeld 1320 Pat
- Nemenefeud, Nemenefeld 1291 Tax 1296,1327 SR
- Nemnefeld 1316 FA
- Niuenefeld 1256 FF
- Niuenesfeld 1262 Ass
- Newenefeld 1279 Ass
- Newenesfeld, Neunesfeld 1279 Ass
- Neuenesfeld 1332 SR
- Nyneynefeld 1279 QW
- Nennefeld 1340 NI
- Nenefeld 1439 Cicestr
- Nenfeld 1414 AsM 1535 VE
- Nemenefeld 1367 AsM
- Nenenfelde 1400 AsM
- Nemnefelde 1405,1412 AsM
- Nendefelde, Nendfild 1444 AsM 1603 MarL
- Nenfylde al. Nenvyle 1592 AsM
- Nindfeild 1672 MarL
- Ninvill al. Ninfeild 1707 SRS19,214
Etymology
Taking all the forms of this name (together with those of the hundred) the preponderance of evidence both in the early forms and in the subsequent phonological development is in favour of taking the Nimene -, Nemene - forms as earlier than the Niwene -, Newene -. On that assumption we may suggest that the name derives from an OE (æt þǣm ) genymenan felde , i.e. (at the) open land taken in (for cultivation). For such a use of OE niman , cf. Nimmings, PN Wo 280, 346, and for the form nymen , cf. Sievers, ASGr , § 128. This form would readily be reduced colloquially to Ninefeld , when it would closely resemble a form Nienfeld from OE nīgeanfeld , which would, at least in West Sussex, be the regular development of OE niwe and feld , cf. Nyetimber supra 95, 175. That form Ninefeld was probably in certain series of documents deliberately altered to the more normal type Newene and hence may have arisen the strange but definitely authenticated Newene - series. That these were official rather than local is suggested by their ultimate barrenness.