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.

Chafford Hundred

Hundred in the County of Essex

Historical Forms

  • Ceford 1066–86 WDB 1087 WestmA
  • Cæfforde 1085–9 WDB
  • Ceffeorda, Ceffeurda, Ceffeworda 1086 DB
  • Cafford(e) 1087 WestmA 1225 Pat 1235–67 Ass
  • Ceafford 1335 Ch
  • Chafheworđ 1166 P
  • Chaffewurd(a), Chaffewurth 1167–90 P
  • Chalfewurd' 1183 P
  • Chalforde 1594 N
  • Chafford(e) 1190 P 1219 Fees 1255 Ass 1264 Misc 1274 RH

Etymology

Probably 'calves' enclosure,' OE  cealfa weorþ , despite the rarity of l -forms. v. cealf , worþ , and cf. Chalvedon and Charfleet infra 167, 149. The meeting-place of the hundred was on Chafford Heath infra 133.