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.

Knebworth

Major Settlement in the Parish of Knebworth

Historical Forms

  • Chenepeworde 1086 DB
  • Knebwurth 1215 FF
  • Knebbewrth' 1220 Fees 1342 Ass
  • Knebbesworthe 1221–30 Fees
  • Cnebeworth 1235 FF
  • Knebworthe 1545 SR
  • Cnabewurth 1266 Pat
  • Kenebbeswrth, Kenebewrth 1275 RH
  • Knypeworth 1278 Ass

Etymology

'Cnebba 's farm,' v. worþ . In a Court Roll of Stevenage of 1357, we have mention of fossat . voc. Knebbedich which must owe its name to the same man, since Knebworth and Stevenage parishes are adjacent.