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.

Spring Hill

Early-attested site in the Parish of St Osyth

Historical Forms

  • le Sprenge(s) 1494 Rental 1545 MinAcct
  • le Springe 1553 Pat

Etymology

Spring Hill (6″) is le Sprenge (s )1494Rental , 1545MinAcct , le Springe 1553 Pat. “Copse, grove or wood consisting of young trees springing up naturally from the stools of old ones” (NED s.v. spring 10). This element is common in Essex field and minor names, although early examples are rare. Cf. Springfield supra 268.