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.

Grapnells olim Cocksey Lay

Early-attested site in the Parish of Wallasea Island

Historical Forms

  • Grapnellewyk' 1374 Ct
  • Cokseley 1412 FA
  • Cooksen Lay 1684 EASxx
  • Great Grapling, Little Grapling 1777 C

Etymology

Grapnells olim Cocksey Lay (in Paglesham parish) is Grapnellewyk '1374Ct , Cokseley 1412 FA, Grapnelles 1554, Grapnelles al. Gardenffee 1555Ct , Cooksen Lay 1684 EAS xx, Great Grapling , Little Grapling 1777 C. The modern name derives from the family of Grapinel who held half a hide of the manor of Prittlewell in 1086 (DB). v. wic .According to Benton (Rochford 417), part of East Grapnells (6″) was called Hilly Marsh because it occupied the highest ground in the island, and part Cockley Lay or Cocksey Lay otherwise Little Marsh (in Little Wakering). This identifies Cokseley , which is described as a marsh in Rochford Hundred.