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.

Cockaynes

Early-attested site in the Parish of Alresford

Historical Forms

  • Co(c)kayne 1279 FF 1301,1317 Cl 1303 Ch 1317 Ipm 1335 FF
  • Kokayn 1351 Ass
  • Cokaynes 1393 IpmR
  • Cokyns 1511 Ct
  • Cokeynes 1524 Ct
  • Cockings Wood 1877 Tendring

Etymology

Cockaynes is Co (c )kayne 1279 FF (p), 1301, 1317 Cl, 1303 Ch, 1317 Ipm, 1335FF , Kokayn 1351Ass , Cokaynes 1393 IpmR, Cokyns 1511Ct , Cokeynes 1524Ct , Cockings Wood 1877 Tendring. The name was perhaps given in jest, ME  Cokaygne being the name of an imaginary country, the abode of luxury and idleness. Cf. Cocken (PN La 203).

Places in the same Parish

Major Settlement