Chimney's toponym is derived from Old English, meaning "Island of a man named Ceomma".[1] A series of ring ditches to the west of the hamlet have been scheduled as an ancient monument,[2] as has an oval causewayed enclosure which is approximately 150 metres (490 ft) across.[3] A large Anglo-Saxon cemetery, in use from the mid 10th century to the mid 11th century, has been found west of Chimney Farm.[4] Chimney has been a small settlement since then. There were about 18 households in the 13th century, and the population reached a peak of 46 in 1821. In 1931, the last year for which separate figures are available, the population was 24.[4][5]
Two late 17th century cottages at Chimney Farm have been designated as Grade II listed buildings,[6] as has the Lower Farmhouse.[7] Until the 19th century Chimney was a township in the parish of Bampton.[8] It was made a separate civil parish in 1866. On 1 April 1932 the parish was united with Aston and Cote to form Aston Bampton, which was united with Shifford in 1954 to form the parish of Aston Bampton and Shifford, later renamed Aston, Cote, Shifford and Chimney.[9]
Crossley, Alan; Currie, C.R.J. (eds.); Baggs, A.P.; Chance, Eleanor; Colvin, Christina; Day, C.J.; Selwyn, Nesta; Townley, Simon C. (1996). A History of the County of Oxford, Volume 13: Bampton Hundred (Part One). Victoria County History. pp. 6–62, 80–86. {{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)