Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Oldhalf c.1300 SewersD 1616 BedL

• Oldhaw(e) 1415–18 MinAcct

• Eldehalf 1428 Ct

• (the) Old Haves 1618 SewersA

• Old Halves 1652 FenS

• the Old Hawes 1678 ib

• the Old Hawes or Old Halfes 1682 ib

• Chartres old Haues 1684 Moore

Etymology

Old Halves is Oldhalf c. 1300SewersD et freq to 1616 BedL, Oldhaw (e )1415–18MinAcct , Eldehalf 1428Ct , (the ) Old Haves 1618SewersA , Old Halves 1652FenS , the Old Hawes 1678 ib., the Old Hawes or Old Halfes 1682 ib., Chartres old Haues 1684 Moore. Here we probably have the nom. sg. of healh , 'nook, corner,' developing to ME  half , plural halves . The exact meaning is difficult to determine, but there is a marked bend in the county boundary here.