Poplar Spinney
Early-attested site in the Parish of Great and Little Raveley
Historical Forms
- Popely 1228 FF
- Popelenge 1228 Rams c.1350
Etymology
The identification is uncertain though probable. We may compare the equally difficult Popes Wood (Berks) which in an original charter of 949 appears as wopig hangra (BCS 877) and in a 12th cent. copy of a charter of 956 as popping hangra (BCS 963). This suggests a pers. name *Poppa , belonging to the obscure group of names of which *Pappa and *Pippa are examples.