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.

Beaupre Drove

Early-attested site in the Parish of Ramsey

Historical Forms

  • Beaurepeir 1286 For
  • Beaurepier c.1350 Rams
  • Beauraper al. Bewpre c.1500 BM

Etymology

A common p.n. of French origin, from OFr  beau-repaire , denoting 'beautiful retreat.' It is specially common in connexion with monastic property and is found in Beurepair (Ha, K), Belper (Db), Bear Park (Du) and Berepper (Co). The pronunciation with initial [bju] is a common development of OFr  beau , as in Beaulieu (Ha), Bewdley (Wo). An alternative development is that found in Beadlow supra 147.