The Grapsome
Early-attested site in the Parish of Hook
Historical Forms
- Grapelingeham 1179,1203 Merton 1229 FF
- Grapeling(g)esham 1189 Merton c.1225 Deed 1277 Cl
- Graphlingesham 1248 FF
- Grapelingham 1252 Ch
- Grapelyngham 1514 Merton
- Cramplingesham 1276 FF
- Crappelingham 1279 Ass
- Grapelyngeham 1332 SR
- Grappesham al. Graplingham 1535 VE
Etymology
The Grapsome (6″) is Grapelingeham 1179, 1203 Merton, 1229 FF (p), Grapeling (g )esham 1189 Merton, c. 1225Deed , 1277 Cl, Graphlingesham 1248 FF (p), Grapelingham 1252 Ch, Grapelyngham 1514 Merton, Cramplingesham 1276 FF (p), Crappelingham 1279Ass , Grapelyngeham 1332 SR (p), Grappesham al. Graplingham 1535 VE. No certainty is possible. The form of the name suggests that the first element is a personal name. Professor Ekwall notes OGer Greifi , Greifing , ON Greip , Greipr from the stem grāp -, 'grasp,' and suggests that there was an OE personal name Grāpling or Grǣpling of the nick-name type. The second element is ham(m).