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.

Sandleford

Early-attested site in the Parish of Greenham

Historical Forms

  • Sandelford c.1150 HMCVarCollvii43 1234 BM 1242 Ch 1275–6 RH
  • Sandleford 1220 Fees
  • Sandelford' 1241 Cl 1242–3 Fees 1284 Ass
  • Scandelford 1297 Pat
  • Sandraford 1180 P
  • Sanderford' 1241 Cl
  • Sanderford 1246 Ch
  • Sanlesford 1185 P
  • Sandresford 1234 Pat
  • Sandlesford 1340 ib
  • Sondlesford 1340,1342 ib
  • Sandelesford 1349 Cl 1378 Pat

Etymology

Ekwall (DEPN) suggests 'sand-stream ford', with a compound of sand and w(i)ella as first el. Skeat (49) suggests 'Sandwulf's ford', but the element Sand - is not found in OE pers.ns., and Ekwall's etymology is more in accordance with the forms. These are too late for any degree of certainty. 'Sand-hill ford', v. hyll , is also possible. The ford over the R. Enborne is marked on the 6″ map.