Ribbesford
Major Settlement in the Parish of Ribbesford
Historical Forms
- Ribbedford 1023 KCD738 17th
- Ribetford 11th Heming
- Ribeford 1086 DB 1181 P 1275 SR
- Ribbefort 1175 P
- Ridelesford 1179 P
- Redelesford 1180 P
- Ribbleford 1188 P
- Rippesford 1231 Pat
- Ribbesford 1232 Cl
- Ripeford, Rypeford 1236 Fees527 1253 FF
- Ribesford 1316 Cl
- Rippeford 1322 Cl
- Rybbesford, Rybbysford 1431 FA 1550 Pat
- Ripsford 1707 Marr
Etymology
Mr Bruce Dickins suggests that the first element in this name is OE ribbe , 'ribwort,' 'hound's tongue.' He further suggests that the full original form was ribbe-bedd -ford , i.e. ford where there was a 'bed' or clump of ribwort (cf. Hollybed infra 214).This plant is not common and its occurrence at all abundantly in a particular locality might easily give rise to a place-name containing it. It is recorded from Wyre Forest by which Ribbesford lies. The s is pseudo-genitival and late.