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.

Hippenscombe

Early-attested site in the Parish of Tidcombe

Historical Forms

  • Huppanghescumb' 1257 Cl
  • Huppingescumbe 1257 For 1259 FF 1275 RH
  • Huppengescomb 1276 StOsmund
  • Huppinggescumbe 1289 Ass
  • Huppyngescombe 1307 Pat 1331 Stowe t.Ed3 For
  • Hippingescumbe 1292 Cl
  • Ippingescombe 1371 Ipm

Etymology

Ekwall (DEPN) hazards the suggestion that the first element here may be the north country hippings , 'stepping-stones,' but form and topography alike are against this—Hippenscombe lies in a waterless bottom. The name is a difficult one. Perhaps we should associate it with the name Hipley in Hambledon (Ha), Huppeleg 1249, 1270FF , Huppele (gh )1272, 1314Ass , 1341For , 1343 Pat, Hippleye 1256Ass , 1320 Ch, Hipple 1281 Abbr, 1317 Pat, Hyppeley 1469FF . Both names alike suggest an OE pet-name Hyppa , with derivative Hypping . Hyppa might be a pet-form for OE  Hygebeorht , cf. OGer  Huppo (Förstemann, PN 936). If so, the name means 'Hypping 's valley.'