Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Chappell in the Greaves or Bryers 1642 Watson

• Chapel in the Brears 1758 HAS

• the Capel Brear 1768 PRHtsd

• Chapel in the Grove 1771 M

• Chapel-le-Grove, Briers Chapel or St. Ann's-in-the-Grove 1822 Langd

Etymology

St Anne in the Grove Church, Chappell in the Greaves or Bryers 1642 Watson 617, Chapel in the Brears 1758 HAS 37, 177, the Capel Brear 1768 PRHtsd, Chapel in the Grove 1771 M, Chapel-le -Grove , Briers Chapel or St . Ann 's -in-the -Grove 1822 Langd, cf. Chappell fields 1601FGr 14, v. chapel , grǣfe , grāf 'copse', brēr 'briar'; the chapel was founded by John Lacy in 1530. The reference to the briars occurs also in Brier Lane infra .