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.

Spellbrook

Early-attested site in the Parish of Sawbridgeworth

Historical Forms

  • Spelebrok 1287 Ass
  • Spelebroc 1387 Walden
  • river Spellbroke 1640 Sess

Etymology

Spellbrook is Spelebrok 1287Ass , Spelebroc 1387Walden , river Spellbroke 1640 Sess. This must mean 'speech brook,' but the reason for the name is not known. Possibly meetings were held here at one time.