English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Abbs Cross

Early-attested site in the Parish of Hornchurch

Historical Forms

  • Aspiscrosse 1514 Rental
  • (le) Aps 1233 HPD

Etymology

Abbs Cross (6″) is Aspiscrosse (1514Rental ) and is to be associated with the family of William (le ) Aps (1233 HPD). The position of the messuage of Edmund (le ) Aps on Pell Street (1285, 1315 ib.) makes the identification certain, and disposes of the popular connection with St Ebba.