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.

Harpford

Major Settlement in the Parish of Harpford

Historical Forms

  • Harpeford 1167,1230 P 1244 Ass
  • Harpefort 12th France
  • Harepeford 1242 Fees764
  • Helpefort (sic) 1173 France
  • Herpeford 1212 Fees96 1289 Ass
  • Herpaforde 1262 Exon
  • Herpford 1292 Ipm
  • Hawford 1675 Ogilby

Etymology

The first element is doubtless OE  herepæð, referring to the old road which crosses the Otter just to the north of the Exeter- Lyme Regis road (DA 43, 262). Cf. Harford in Crediton supra 405 and Harpford (So), Herpoðford 904 BCS 610, 1065 KCD 816, Herpeford 1236 FF.

Places in the same Parish