Abbots Ripton - The Origins and History of The Name

The Origins and History of The Name

Abbots Ripton ends in ton which usually indicates a Saxon origin. According to the Institute for Name Studies a possible translation from Old English could be rip - Strip/Slope and ton - Farm/Settlement. Its name has appeared in various guises throughout its history; in the Domesday book it was recorded as Riptone, but by the 11th century it was recorded as Riptune. It was during the 12th and 13th century that the Abbot part came into the name; it was then owned by the Abbot of Ramsey, and it was most probably just to distinguish it from Kings Ripton which was under royal ownership. During this period it was also known by the names of Magna Riptona, Ryptone and finally Riptone Abbatis. After the Reformation the crown sold it to the St John family and for a time it was called St John's Ripton before it became known by the name we know it today.