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.

Flanchford Fm

Early-attested site in the Parish of Reigate

Historical Forms

  • Fleynesford(e) 1279 Ass 1311 Lewes 1332 SR
  • Fleinesford 1312 Ass
  • Flaynesford 1317 Pat 1325 Ass
  • Fleynsford 1397 FF
  • Flauncheford 1446 BM
  • Flawnchforde 1601 FF
  • Flansford 1531 SACxi
  • Flanceford brigge 1534 LP

Etymology

Although the appearance of a Scandinavian personal name in Surrey is surprising, there can be little doubt that the first element is the OWSc  personal name Fleinn . A possible explanation of the presence of such a name in Reigate would be that one of the Anglo-Scandinavian Norfolk tenants of the early Earls of Surrey settled here. Hence, 'Fleinn 's ford.'