It is very probable that the name "Harringay" has its origin in the Saxon period, most likely derived from the name of a Saxon person, probably a local chieftain, called "Hering" – "Heringes-hege" in Old English means the enclosure of "Hering". The earliest written form was "Harenhg" in about 1195. It gave rise to the names Harringay (the district of London), the London Borough of Haringey, and Hornsey (a nearby district of London). Its development into these three forms was complex and included at least 162 variations. Since the history of Hornsey is mostly common with that of present-day Harringay and the etymology is shared, both are covered in this section. The name of the London Borough of Haringey is included to explain spelling differences.