Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Chapronheys 1440 Cl

• Champrenheghe 1482 IpmR

• Womeslegh, alias Champrenlegh 1774 Hutch1

• Champernhaps (sic, for Champernhays) 1795 Boswell

• Chippenhay 1811 OS

• Chappenhay 1842 TAMap

• Chapney Estate 1842 TA

• Womeslegh, alias Champrenlegh, or Champernhays 1863 Hutch3

• Wamereshegh' 1242–3 Fees

• Wemesheye 1268 Ass

• Wombessheghe 1399 Cl

• Womeshegh 1440 Cl, IpmR

• Womesleigh 1863 Hutch3

• Womeshaghe 1482 IpmR

Etymology

Champernhayes Ctg & Champernhayes Fm (SY 354962), Chapronheys 1440 Cl, Champrenheghe 1482 IpmR, Womeslegh , alias Champrenlegh 1774 Hutch1, Champernhaps (sic, for Champernhays )1795 Boswell, Chippenhay 1811 OS, Chappenhay 1842TAMap , Chapney Estate 1842TA , Womeslegh , alias Champrenlegh , or Champernhays 1863 Hutch3, from hay 'enclosure' and a surname. With the earliest spelling Chapron -, cf. John C (h )aperon , Ralph C (h )aperon , Walter C (h )aperon 1327, 1332 SR (taxed in Leigh in Colehill), v. Bardsley 171 s.n. Chaperon , Reaney-Wilson 83 s.n. Capron . However the forms Champren -, Champern -, may suggest derivation from a different surname, cf. Sir Arthur Champernon (e ), Henry Champernon (e ) mentioned in connection with Burstock par. supra and Childhay in Broadwindsor par. supra , c.1600 (Hutch3 2211, 326), Chambercombe (Champernounyscomb 1439) PN D 46, and the Fr  surnames Campenon , Champorin (Dauzat 82, 106). Womeslegh , mentioned by Hutch1 and Hutch3 as an alternative name for this place, is in fact separately recorded at a much earlier date than Champernhayes itself. It is Wamereshegh '1242–3 Fees, Wemesheye 1268Ass , Wombessheghe 1399 Cl, Womeshegh 1440 Cl, IpmR, Womeshethe Cl, Womesleigh 1863 Hutch3, Womeshaghe 1482 IpmR: the second el. is again clearly hay , OE  (ge)hæg (with later confusion with, or substitution by, hǣð and lēah ), the first is most probably a pers.n. or surname but of uncertain form in view of the discrepant early spellings.