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.

Caldbec Hill

Early-attested site in the Parish of Battle

Historical Forms

  • Kaldebec 1248 AOMB18
  • croft called Caldebek 1332 Battle
  • Calbeck 1535 VE
  • le Calbekmeyde 1539 Dugdiii.255
  • Calbak 1823 G

Etymology

Caldbec Hill is Kaldebec 1248AOMB 18, croft called Caldebek 1332 Battle 68, Calbeck 1535 VE, le Calbekmeyde 1539 Dugd iii. 255, Calbak 1823 G. The name is clearly of Norman-French origin, this being a common spring-name in Normandy, cf. the well-known Caudebec . Caldebek is an impossible ME form in this area. 'A spring is yet seen gushing from a cavernous recess on the spot' (SAC 6, 38).