Reigate
Major Settlement in the Parish of Reigate
Historical Forms
- Cherchefelle 1086 DB
- Crechesfeld lateHy2 BM
- Crecchesfeld 12th Lewes195
- Reigata c.1170 AD
- Reigat(e) 1196 P 1199,1204 FF 1212 Fees
- Reyegate 1235 Ass
- Regata 1184,1187,1195 P
- Regate 1203 Cur 1255 Ass 1302 Winton
- Rigate 12th ADiii 1344 SR 1527,1561 FF
- Raygate 1235 Ass 1316,1328 Pat 1326 Cl 1327 Ipm 1370 Ass 1382 FF
- Reighgate 1604 FF
Etymology
For the earlier name v. supra 281–2. Professor Ekwall suggests that Reigate is a compound of ME gate and ME reye from OE rǣge , 'roe-deer,' denoting some gap through which the deer were hunted. For such a compound cf. Rogate (PN Sx 38) and such a name as Hindlip (PN Wo 139). Association with Wray Common, etc. (infra 306) is unlikely) as the early form of ray denoting a stream or marshland is ree rather than rey .