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.

Alresford

Major Settlement in the Parish of Alresford

Historical Forms

  • (æt) Ælesforda c.1000 ASWills 11th
  • Elesfordam, Elesfordā, Eilesforda 1086 DB
  • Alefordā ib.
  • Aleford 1212 RBE 1323 Londin
  • Alesford 1246–95 FF 1270 Ipm 1303,1428 FA
  • Halesford 1272 Ass
  • Allesford 1291 Tax
  • Alsford 1412 FA
  • Alresford 1309,1312 Inqaqd 1480 IpmR 1535 VE
  • Aldersforde 1544 LP

Etymology

This is a difficult name. Professor Ekwall suggests that the first element is a personal name Ægel , such as is found in ægleslonan (BCS 1235). The r seems to be late and irregular.Hence, 'Ægel 's ford.'

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site