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.

Topcliffe

Major Settlement in the Parish of Topcliffe

Historical Forms

  • Topeclive 1086 DB 1166 P 1236 Cl 1251 Percy
  • Toppecliue 1154–81 RegAlbi.70 1301 LS
  • Topclif 1288 Ebor 1371 Fabr
  • Topleffe 1519 Sanct

Etymology

'The highest part of the cliff' from OE  topp and clif. Topcliffe is on the upper edge of a very steep and lofty bank, overlooking the Swale R.