Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Warchesoppe, Werchesope 1086 DB

• Werchessop 1183 P

• Wercheshope 1186,1187 P

• Werkessop(e) 1196,1197 P

• Werkeshop' 1202 ib

• Werksop 1268 Pat

• Werkensop c.1540 L

• Wirkesop(e) t.Hy1 Dugdvi c.1190 Dane 1332 Ipm

• Wirksoph 1226 DbCh

• Wirkeshop(e) 1237 Cl 1301 Ebor

• Wyrkeshop(e) 1248 ib

• Wircsop 1231 Bracton

• Wirichsob 1251 RegAntiq

• Wircsop(e) 1275 RH

• Wyrkesoppe 1280,1283 Ebor

• Wirksop 1301 Orig 1302 FA

• Warksop 1268 Pat 1660 StJ

• Worksopp 1332 Ipm

• Wurksoppe 1535 LP

• Wyrshop 1340 Pat

• Wyrsop 1354 Ipm

• Wirsop 1394 FF

• Wirssope 1434 Pat

• Worsop 1462 Pat

• Woorsopp 1585 FF

• Worksoppe al. Worsoppe 1571 Recov

• Worksop al. Worsope 1741 ib

Etymology

The first element is clearly the same personal name We (o )rc , Wyrc which is found in Worsall (PN NRY 173), Worsborough (PN WRY 211), Wirksworth (PN Db 271) and an unidentified Wyrcesford in the Historia Sancti Cuthberti (c. 1050). wyrc is a common form of OE  weorc . The masculine name Weorc is unrecorded, but the feminine name Werca (Verca ) is found in Bede's Life of St Cuthbert . Hence 'Werc or Wyrc 's hop or valley.'