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.

Spearhay

Early-attested site in the Parish of Thorncombe

Historical Forms

  • Hr Spearhay & Lr Spearhay 1811 OS
  • Sperehegh(') 1356 BM 1398 HarlCh
  • Sperehey 1437 FF 1438 1439 IpmR
  • Sperhegh' 1398 HarlCh

Etymology

Spearhay (ST 348016), Hr Spearhay & Lr Spearhay 1811 OS, Sperehegh (')1356 BM, 1398HarlCh , Sperehey 1437 FF, 1438 Cl, HarlCh , 1439 IpmR, Sperhegh '1398HarlCh , 'enclosure of the Spere family', from (ge)hæg, cf. Richard Spere c.1300AddCh , terramquam Osmundus pater Rogeri Spare tenuit 1398HarlCh .

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site

Other OS name

Major Settlement