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.

Sapley

Early-attested site in the Parish of Hartford

Historical Forms

  • Sappele 1227 ClR 1232,1235,1236,1238,1245 Cl 1255 For 1260 Ass 1299 BM 1300 Rams 1367,1381 Cl
  • Sapele 1232,1235,1240,1243 Cl 1255 For
  • Shappele 1238 Cl
  • Sap(p)le 1245,1378 Cl
  • Sappeleye 1275,1285 Cl
  • Sappele Hey 1292 Cl
  • Sapperleye 1338 Orig

Etymology

OE  sæppe -leage (dat.), 'fir-tree clearing,' v. sæppe , leah . If this is correct it is good evidence, in this old forest district, for the presence of firs in English woodland at a good deal earlier date than is usually allowed.

Places in the same Parish

Major Settlement