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.

Sleepshyde

Early-attested site in the Parish of St Peters

Historical Forms

  • hida de Slape t.Ed2 StAlbansO
  • Slape 1354 FF 1429 Annales
  • Slepe 1355 Cl c.1460 Whet
  • Slapecrosse 1436 Cassio
  • Slepes-hide 1598 N
  • Sleapside 1689 MarLic
  • Slape c.1250 StAlbansJ
  • la Slepe 1296 SR

Etymology

Sleepshyde is hida de Slape t. Ed 2StAlbansO , Slape 1354FF , 1429 Annales, Slepe 1355 Cl, c. 1460 Whet, Slapecrosse 1436Cassio , Slepes-hide 1598 N, Sleapside 1689 MarLic, and was the home of William de Slape (c. 1250StAlbansJ ) and William de la Slepe (1296SR ). This is OE  slæp, 'wet or slippery place,' with reference to the low-lying marshy land to the south. For hyde , v. hid infra 245.