Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Werpesdune 1086 DB

• Werplesdon 1215 ClR 1396 FF

• Werplindon 1235 Ass

• Worplendon 1272 Ass

• Wroplesdon 1241 Ass

• Wroplesdone 1348 Ipm

• Wrepplesdon 1255 Ass

• Wereplesdune 1259 ADiii

• Wereplesdon t.Hy3 For 1270 Seldxiii

• Werpelesdon 1313 Ass

• Werbesdone 1279 Ass

• Warplesdon 1288 Ass 1428 FA 1478 IpmR

• Wurplesdon 1298 Ass 1376 Pat 1489 FF

• Worplusdon 1316 Ipm

• Worpelesdene 1428 FA

• Warpisden al. Warpelesden 1474 Pat

• Wyrpesden al. Worplesden 1509 LP

• Warpesdon 1514 HMCviiApp

• Woobsdon 1757 HaslemereParReg

Etymology

The first element is the lost OE  *w (i )erpels , the source of the dialectal wapple , 'bridle-way,' found also in Wapsbourne (PN Sx 298) and Worplegate , a field-name in Frensham, and Warple supra 39. The name may have reference to the steep track leading up to the hill here (v. dun ) on which is the church. Mr Bonner calls attention to an interesting passage in the Wimbledon Court Rolls for 1565 WimbCt 129 relating to these warple (s ). Mention is made of warples between furlong and furlong and shot and shot in the common fields. These had been damaged in ploughing, etc., and no one is henceforward to plough within seven feet of such warples or to plough, sow, or mow grass there.