Knapwell
Major Settlement in the Parish of Knapwell
Historical Forms
- (at) Cnapwelle c.1045 ASWills 14th ChronRams 1045 ADii 17th 1329
- Cnapp(e)well(e) 1251 Ch 1286 1298 Ass 1302 FA
- Canappewelle 1286 Ct
- Cnapanwelle 1077 ChronRams 17th
- Cnapen(e)welle c.1350 Rams
- Chenepewelle 1086 DB
- Cnepwell 1196 FF
- Knapwell(e) 1208 FF
- Knapwell(e) olim Little Wellesworth 1746 Colexviii
- Knap(p)ewell 1233 FF 1349 Pat
- Clapwelle 1284 FA
Etymology
This may be 'Cnapa 's spring,' Cnapa being on record as the name of a moneyer; cnapa in its original sense 'boy' is also a possibility. Cf. Chnapecoteweye 1277Bodl (in Chesterton), Cnapewell (PN Nt 293), Cnapewelleheved 1300 Misc (in Marton, Y), Knapton (PN ERY 136), Knapeney and Knapthorpe (PN Nt 54–5, 184).