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.

Roffey

Early-attested site in the Parish of Horsham

Historical Forms

  • La Rogheye, Rogheye 1281 ADvi 1432 ADi
  • Rogehey 1418 IpmR
  • Rozghee 1296 SR
  • le Rugheye 1342 Pens
  • Roughey 1446 ADi
  • Ropheye 1574 SAC33,199

Etymology

'Rough enclosure,' v. gehæg , cf. Rusper infra 232. The same name is found as Roughway, Rolphy and Roffey (Ess).This etymology is given by Ritter (112), who points out (139 n. 1) that it is an example of a compound formed with the uninflected strong adj. form.