Shimmings
Early-attested site in the Parish of Petworth
Historical Forms
- Shunnings 1645 SxNQ
Etymology
Shimmings is Shunnings (1645 SxNQ 2, 20) and Shymings , Sheymings in the 17th and 18th cents, in documents in the Petworth Estate Office. The first form is probably an error of transcription. This must be a derivative of the word shim or sheim , used of a hoe or part of it (NED s. v ). The verbal noun shimming , 'hoeing with a shim' may well have been used of a piece of land which had thus been hoed.