Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Telfold, Telvalde 1235 Ass

• Tenfold 1263 Ass

• Ellesfald 1263 Ass

• Elefold 1279 Ass

• Elfande c.1320 Dugdvi,833

• Temple Elphande 1543 LP

• Temple Elphaud al. Elpham 1565 FF

• Temple Elphand 1565 Recov

• Temple Elfant 1619 FF

• Temple 1680 Seller

Etymology

This place was held by the Knights Templars in 1263 (Ass ), whence the later distinguishing epithet, now the only remaining part of the name (cf. Chenies, Latimer (PN Bk 221, 225)). The meaning of the original name is difficult to determine, owing to the absence of any very early spellings. It may have been Ella 's fold,' or perhaps 'elder-tree fold,' v. ellen , fal(o)d. For the initial t in the earliest form, v. æt . Alternatively, the first element may be OE  telg, 'branch,' Sussex dialectal tellow . At a later date the name seems to have been influenced by the word 'elephant,' but it should be noted that the confusion may be purely scribal.Elfald would become quite regularly ME  Elfaude , which is probably the more correct form of that given from Dugdale, and the later change from u to n may be an example of scribal confusion leading to a new pronunciation, as in the well-known Iona for Ioua , and Ulnes Walton (PN La 136) for Ulues Walton, and Fisherton Anger (W), once held by the family of Aucher (1272 Ch).