Whipp's Cross
Early-attested site in the Parish of Leyton
Historical Forms
- Phypp(y)s Cross(e) 1517,1519 W'stowW
- fypps chrosse 1537 ib
- Phip(pe)s Cross 1572 Deeds
- Whipps Cross 1636 ib
Etymology
Whipp's Cross (6″) is Phypp (y )s Cross (e )1517, 1519 W'stowW, fypps chrosse 1537 ib., Phip (pe )s Cross 1572 Deeds, Whipps Cross 1636 ib. An interesting example of dialectal development. In Essex [f] > [v] which itself > [w]. For the pers. name cf. John Phippe (1374 Cl), and Phipps Field infra 605. The above forms dispose of the commonly accepted explanation that the name owes its origin to the establishment of a whipping post for offenders against the forest laws.