Hopsford Hall
Early-attested site in the Parish of Withybrook
Historical Forms
- Apleford 1086 DB
- Hapseford c.1155 Ch 1251 Pat t.Hy1 1397
- Apesford 1173 P
- Hapesford 1260 Ass 1272 FF 1291,1343 Pat
- Apeford 1187 P
- Happeford 1262 Ass 1313 Cl
- Hapford 1375 IpmR 1535 VE
- Hapsford 1224,1242 Fees
- Happesford 1285 Ass 1313 Ipm 1340 FF 1400 IpmR 1428 ADii 1441 FF
- Happisforth 1298 Ipm
- Happysford 1484 Rental
- Hoppesford 1389 ADiii
- Happisford al. Hoppesford 1662 FF
Etymology
The first element of this name should perhaps be compared with that of Happing and Happisburgh (Nf), which Ekwall (PN in -ing 77) takes to be a pers. name related to OHG Heppo , Haffilo , Hepfilo and to OE gehæp , 'fit.' Wallenberg (PN K 91–2) suggests an alternative possibility, viz. that the first element is OE hæpse , 'hasp,' the reference being to the angle which the stream makes just by the ford. This is possible but one wants more decisive evidence for a toponymic use of hæpse .