HEYSHAM, a parish in the hundred of LONSDALE, south of the sands, county palatine of LANCASTER, 5 miles (W.) from Lancaster, containing 540 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Richmond, and diocese of Chester, rated in the king's books at £8. 9. 2., and in the patronage of the Rev. T.Yates Ridley. The church, dedicated to St. Peter, is an ancient edifice placed on the summit of a rock. A sum was given by Robert Thompson, in 1817, for the instruction of children, which produces £8. 9. per annum. On the hill above the church are the remains of an ancient oratory, dedicated to St. Patrick. In the churchyard are several coffin-like excavations in the solid rock, in the shape of the human body. In High Heysham are the remains of a Roman Catholic chapel, which originally belonged to the Stanley family.