Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Wakebrugg(e), Wakebrug(e) 1205 Cur 1210 FF c.1250 Darley 1514 WollCh

• Wakebrigg(e), Wakebrig(e) Hy2 BelCh e.13th WollCh 1210 FF

• Wakebrygg(e) 1359 Halliii 1423 RadCh 1518 DbAxix

• Wakbrige 1237 FF

• Wakbrug 1485 WollCh

Etymology

Wakebridge, Wakebrugg (e ), Wakebrug (e )1205 Cur (p), 1210 FF, c. 1250 Darleyet freq to 1514WollCh , Wakebrigg (e ), Wakebrig (e )Hy 2BelCh (p), e. 13thWollCh (p), 1210 FF et passim , Wakebrygg (e )1359 Hall iii (p), 1423 RadCh, 1518 DbA xix, Wakbrige 1237 FF, Wakbrug 1485WollCh .An OE  pers.n. *Waca has been adduced from several p.ns., cf. Wakeham (PN D 266), (PN Sx 43), Wakeley (PN Hrt 210), so that this may be 'Waca's bridge', v. brycg . Ekwall (Studies 189–90), however, argues that the first element of some names in Wake - is OE  wacu in an unrecorded sense 'wake, annual festival'. He would translate Wakebridge as 'bridge where the wake was held'. This may be so, but the alternative suggestion of a pers.n. is at least as likely in some p.ns.