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.

Limpley Stoke

Major Settlement in the Parish of Limpley Stoke

Historical Forms

  • Hangyndestok 1263 For
  • Hanging Stoke 1322 WMxxiii 1585 ib
  • Hangyngestoke 1362 Cor
  • Stoke 1333 SR 1522,1611 1539 WMv
  • Stokewere 1348 Cor
  • Lymply Stoke 1585 WMxxi
  • Limplystoke 1613 PCC
  • Limpley 1670 FF
  • Lympley Stoke in the parish of Bradford 1784 Recov

Etymology

v. stoc . Originally called Hanging from its position below a steep hillside; cf. Hanging Houghton (PN Nth 126). There is a weir here by Avon Mill. The addition of Limpley remains an unsolved mystery.