Copston Magna and Parva
Major Settlement in the Parish of Copston Magna and Parva
Historical Forms
- Copstuna(m) t.Hy1 Ch 1251 Pat t.Hy2 1397
- Copston 1290 Ch 1396 Pat
- Copston Parva 1221,1262 Ass
- Copston Major 1327 SR 1400 IpmR
- Copstone 1313 Queen's
- Copstone Major, Copstone Parva 1332 SR
- Copest' 1169 AC
- Copeston 12th Combe 1247 Ass 1266 Pat
- Coppeston 1247 Ass 1397 Monast 1403,1415 Pat 1546 LP
- Coppuston 1402 PCC
- Capeston 1402 Cl
- Capstan Felde 1551 Pat
- Copston Felde 1519 ADiii
- Copstonfyld 1535 VE
- Copson Fields 1625 Sess
Etymology
Dugdale perhaps places us on the right track with regard to this name when, speaking of Little Copston, he says, “which originally had its denomination from one Copsi , possessor thereof in the Saxon times, as I guess; that being a name then in use” (47).
This name is of Scandinavian origin and is fully discussed by Björkman (NP 86–7). It is found as a pers. name in DB (Y, L) and as the name of an 11th-century Northumbrian earl. A pers. name of Scandinavian origin on the Leicestershire border is very natural. Hence 'Copsi 's farm,' v. tun .
Copston Parva is now represented by Copston Fields (6″) in Wolvey. Cf. Shuttington Fields supra 25.