English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Halfpenny Field

Early-attested site in the Parish of Elm

Historical Forms

  • Halpenyfeilde 1336 Rental t.Eliz
  • Halpenifield 1377 Imb
  • Halfpeny field 1608 Imb

Etymology

Halfpenny Field is Halpenyfeilde 1336 (t. Eliz) Rental , Halpenifield 1377 Imb, Halfpeny field 1608 Imb. So called from the contribution levied for the repair of a neighbouring dyke. Cf. “for repair of the said New diche every acre of land from thence to Needham diche should pay a penny; and every acre from Needham diche unto Halfpenny field…an halfpenny” (Imb 309).