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.

Chavenage Ho

Early-attested site in the Parish of Horsley

Historical Forms

  • Chauenedisshe 1327 SR
  • Chauenedich' 1332 MinAcct
  • Shauenedisshdoun 1369 MinAcct
  • Chauenasshdown 1370 ib
  • Chaueneggedoune 1371 ib
  • Chauenheggesdoune 1411 ib
  • Chauenayschdone 1477 ib
  • Cheueneg(ge) 1371 MinAcct 1385 Ass
  • Cheuenassh 1411 MinAcct
  • Cheuenynche 1459 ib
  • Chauenhegge 1477 MinAcct
  • Chaveneage 1638 Inq
  • Chavenedge 1642 InqM

Etymology

Probably 'Ceafa's enclosure', v. edisc . The first el. is not certain.An OE  pers.n. Ceafa is not on record unless Ciaba (Redin 88) is a variant of it; it would be connected etymologically with OE  ceaf 'chaff'. Dr Feilitzen regards Ciaba as a Kentish spelling of Ceoba , and not connected with ceaf . It is possible that Cheveridge (Wo 51) contains the same pers.n. The second el. has clearly been influenced by OE  ecg 'edge, escarpment'. In some forms we have OE  dūn 'down' added.