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.

Harpsford

Early-attested site in the Parish of Egham

Historical Forms

  • Herpesford 675 BCS 13th
  • Harpesford 1225 ClR t.Ed3 For
  • mill of Harpesford 1327 Pat
  • Herepesford 1270 Seldxiii t.Hy3 For
  • Harpesfordemulle 1344 ChertseyB
  • Harpisford 1476 Chertsey 1572 Ct

Etymology

Harpsford (lost) is Herpesford 675 (13th) BCS 34, Harpesford 1225 ClR, t. Ed 3For , mill of Harpesford 1327 Pat, Herepesford 1270 Seld xiii, t. Hy 3For , Harpesfordemulle 1344ChertseyB , Harpisford 1476 Chertsey, 1572Ct . Harpsford hamlet and mill are now covered by Virginia Water (infra 125). The name is a compound of herepæð and ford with reference here to the old Roman road from Staines to Silchester. Cf. Harpford (PN D 590).