Chalgrave
Major Settlement in the Parish of Chalgrave
Historical Forms
- Cealhgræfan 926 BCS659 12th
- Celgraue 1086 DB
- Chealgraue 1163–87 Merton
- Chalgraue 1173 P 1276 Ass 1284 FA 1291 NI 1302,1316,1346 FA 1366 Cl
- Calgraua a.1177 Dunst 13th
- Chalkgrave 1220 LS 1308 Cl
- Chaugrave 1220 Dunst 13th Fees887 1242 Ass 1247 FF 1257 Ass 1276 Dunst 1286
- Chagrave 1286 Dunst
- Chalfgrave 1346 FA
Etymology
There can be no doubt that Skeat's conjecture that the first element in this name is OE cealc is right, for Mr Gurney in his admirable study of the bounds of Chalgrave (BHRS v. 163 ff.) shows that, somewhat unexpectedly, chalk is found here and that the shepherds in driving their stakes frequently strike hard chalk. The second element, as almost always in these grave - names, is not quite certain. If we may judge by the form of the name of the other ground assigned in the charter, viz. Tebworth infra 118, we must take -græfan to be in the dative. If so it could be either the dat. pl. of græf and the name be interpreted 'chalk-pits,' referring to some small diggings for chalk made here, or the dat. sg. of græfe . 'Chalk-thicket' seems however to be a somewhat unlikely name.