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.

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 .