Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Ruppen Coppice 1843 TA

Etymology

Ruppen Coppice (ST 638044), Ruppen Coppice 1843TA , cf. Ruppen Fd & Ruppen Strap 1843ib , probably to be associated with Underukepen 1317MiltC and the comon pitt under rupkins Lane 1652Cock , less certainly with a form ?Ruipston (second two letters doubtful) 1610Batten and the Coppice hedges att Rapton 1652Cock , cf. also the TA f.ns. Roughten Coppice and Roughton Hill infra . The coppice and the fields called Ruppen are situated between 600′ and 800′ on the steep slope of Hillfield Hill infra just below the earthwork marked 'Great Ditch' (6″) which lies across the Hillfield-Up Cerne par. bdy at 842′. The etymology of Ruppen is uncertain, but it may be 'pen or fold frequented by rooks', from hrōc and penn 2 , with under 'beneath' in the early form.