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.

Lipson

Early-attested site in the Parish of Plymouth

Historical Forms

  • Lisistona 1086 DB
  • Lipston 1238 Ass
  • Lypston 1270 Ass 1346 FA
  • Lipston juxta Compton 1364 Ass
  • Lippeston' 1242 Fees796 1291 Misc
  • Lippestan 1249 Ass
  • Loppeston 1284 FA
  • Lepston 1303 FA

Etymology

The DB form (if it belongs here) is obviously corrupt. If the original second element was stan, the name may be an OE  compound of this word and lippa , 'lip,' perhaps referring to some stone of a peculiar shape or appearance. Professor Ekwall suggests OE  hlīep -stan , 'leap-stone,' i.e. a mounting stone.