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.

Breakspear

Early-attested site in the Parish of Harefield

Historical Forms

  • Breakespeare 1593 N

Etymology

Breakspear is Breakespeare 1593 N. This name also is of manorial origin. In 1371 William Swanlond granted a lease for 60 years to William Brekespere of a house and land in Harefield (Lysons 111). The family, however, were in the neighbourhood much earlier, a Nicholas Brakespere being mentioned in connection with Ruislip in 1246 (Select Pleas).