It is a theophoric placename referring to Thunor and means either 'Thunor's Field' or 'Thunor's High place", from the same Germanic root that gives 'veldt'.

The village was inhabited long before the Anglo Saxons came: the Icknield Way runs through it, and Neolithic barrows have been found on Therfield Heath.

The Icknield Way Path passes through the village on its 110-mile journey from Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire to Knettishall Heath in Suffolk.

The most recent building was completed in 1878 and it replaced the church that had existed since the 13th Century which fell into such disrepair that it was in danger of collapsing.

The church's original Stuart royal arms survives, and is unusual in that the inscription on the Garter is partly misspelt.

After a period of interregnum, during which time the church was cared for and led by the elders and deacons, the Rev Mark Kingston was appointed as Pastor in August 1997.

[7] The Castle is owned by Tuthill Farm and it was excavated in 1958 by a team led by Martin Biddle when the owner informed the Ministry of Works that he intended to bulldoze the site.