Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Weplesburn 1197 FF

• Werpesburn' 1242 Fees690

• Werplesburn 1255 FF 1272 RH 1303 Ipm

• Warplesb(o)urn 1268,1327 Ipm

• Warpesborn 1358 Cl

• Wapplesbourne 1439 IpmR

• Wappysborne 1551 SAC35

• Warpsborne al. Wapesborne 1717 FF

Etymology

On the first element in this name v. Ekwall in PN La 123, s. n. Wirples Moss, where he shows that in this name and in Worplesdon (Sr), Warpsgrove (O), we have an OE  *werpels , the source of the dialectal wapple , 'bridle-way' (cf. Wapelgate supra 129). We do not know the exact meaning of OE  werpels , but the sense 'path' would suit here, as there are old footpaths all along the burna or stream.