Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• (on) hacapenn 938 BCS724

• Hakepen(ne) 1249 FF 1281 Ass 1291 Tax

Etymology

Hackpen Hill is a prominent hook-shaped hill and so is Hackpen Hill (W), earlier hacan penn (BCS 734). These names and Inkpen (Berks), earlier Ingepenne (BCS 678), suggest that British penno - (W , Co  pen ) 'head, top, end,' was adopted by the English as a hill-name.The first element is OE  haca , 'hook,' used in the Wiltshire name in a genitival compound.