Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Erbach Cross 1699 Sheaf334

• Harebache, Harebache sty, Harebache cros, the water of Harebache 1276 Ch 1278 Misc

• Harebache Crose 1336 VR

• Harebachescrosse 1354 BPR

• Harebachecrosse, Harebachecrofte 1359 VR

• Erbidge Crofte alias Herbach Cross Jas1 Map

Etymology

Erbach Cross (lost, 109–596704), Erbach Cross 1699 Sheaf3 34 (7538), Harebache , Harebache sty , Harebache cros , the water of Harebache 1276 Ch, 1278 Misc, Harebache Crose 1336 VR, Harebachescrosse 1354 BPR, Harebachecrosse , Harebachecrofte 1359 VR, Erbidge Crofte alias Herbach Cross Jas 1Map (LRMB 200), 'hare's valley or stream', from hara and bæce 1 , with stīg 'a path', and cros 'a cross'. The -crofte forms are probably a misreading of -crosse . The cross marked the boundary between Cuddington township, the royal forest of Delamere and the abbot of Vale Royal's demesnes. It is called Abbotts Cross in Teesdale's map 1829–1830, cf. Sheaf3 34 (7538), v. abbat . The 'water' would be Blakemere infra . The stīg was probably 'Watling Street' 140 (route VII).