Ackingford Bridge
Early-attested site in the Parish of Bobbingworth
Historical Forms
- Alkingeford 1248 Ass
- Alkyngford 1311 FF
- Hawkynford or Agingford Bridge 1574 Sessions
Etymology
Ackingford Bridge [ɔˑkənfɔˑd] (6″) is Alkingeford 1248Ass (p), Alkyngford 1311FF , Hawkynford or Agingford Bridge 1574Sessions . This name may contain OE ealh , a rare poetic word for 'temple' (cf. Ekwall, Studies 28, s. n. Alkham (K)), in which case the name must be interpreted 'ford of the dwellers by the temple.' More likely it is 'the ford of (the people of) Ealh (a ),' v. ing . Ealh (a ) would be a pet-form of one of the numerous Ealh - names, such as Ealhhere , Ealhmund , found in OE.
Aukenford Ho in Shelley (local) preserves the local pronunciation.