Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Cresope a.1165 Ch 1307

• Cresop' 1200 Cur

• Creshop' 1201 ib

• Creshop 1279 FF

• Creshoppe 1299 Scotland

• Cressop 1332 SR

• Cryssop 1552 March

• Over and Nether Crisshopp 1544 Liddesdale

• Gresopa c.1165 Ch 1307

• Greshop(e) 1201 P 1307 Cl

• Gressop 1251 Cl 1278,1279 Ass

• Gersop(e), Geresp' 1200 Cur

• Gressehop(e) 1275 Ipm 1306 FF

• Carsopp 1580 Border

• Kirsop 1697 Netherby

• Creshope Bryg 1398 Scotland

• Cressopbrig 1516 LP

• Carsopp brigg 1580 Border

• Kirsopp brigg 1597 ib

• foot of Cryssop t.Ed6 March

• the foote of Carsopp 1580 Border

• Kirksop Foot 1695 M

• Kirsopfoote, Cressopp fote 1600 CWxi

• Creshopheued, Gressopeheued 1292 Ass

• Cressopheued(e) 1323 Pat

• the heade of Cressope 1590 Border

• the heade of Kirsopp 1597 ib

• Crissophall in foresta Nichi 1392 GDR

• Carsopp rigg 1580 Border

Etymology

The second element in this name is OE  hop, 'valley.' The early forms show recurrent confusion between initial K and G , and it is impossible to decide on written evidence whether the first element is OE  cærse, 'cress' or gærs (græs), 'grass.' The question could only be settled, if at all, by a close acquaintance with the valley itself. The forms for Kershope (Roxb) on the Scottish side of Kershope Burn are equally ambiguous.