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.

Heathfield

Early-attested site in the Parish of Kirkby Malzeard

Historical Forms

  • Higrefeld, Higrefelt 1086 DB
  • Hiherfeldebec c.1175,c.1200 Font
  • Hirefeld(e), Hyrefeld(e) 1198 Font
  • Hyrefeld(e)bec, Hyrefeld(e)bek 1249 FF 1260 Font
  • Hearf(i)eld 1630,1684,1685 Yorke
  • Heathfield 1770 Yorke 1822 Langd

Etymology

'Open land frequented by jays or magpies', v. higera , feld . The modern form with Heath - is late, but the identification is usually accepted (cf. YAJ xxxiii, 387). The place is not to be confused with Harefield 149supra or the neighbouring Highfield (infra ); Highfield and Heathfield are distinguished as Highfield & Hearfeld in 1684Yorke vii, 6–8.

Places in the same Parish

Other OS name

Early-attested site