Culpho (pronounced Cul-fo) is a village and civil parish in the East Suffolk district of Suffolk, about 4 miles (6.4 km) northeast of the centre of Ipswich and 3+1⁄2 miles (5.6 km) west of Woodbridge. In 2021 the parish had a population of 48.
The earliest known record of the toponym is Culfole in the Domesday Book of 1086, which list the population as 22 households.[1] In 12th-century records it appears as Colfho in 1168, Culfou in 1169 and Culfo in 1175. A pipe roll of 1178 records it as Culfho and an entry in the Book of Fees for 1250 records it as Colvesho. It is derived from Old English, probably meaning "Cūþwulf's hōh" (hōh = "spur of land").[2]
Parish church
The earliest parts of the Church of England parish church of St Botolph include the chancel, which is 13th-century. The nave has 14th-century features including a doorway and windows. There is also a 14th-century piscina in the chancel. The baptismal font is 15th-century. The church has a southwest tower with the porch built into its ground stage. The nave roof was rebuilt with new timbers in the 17th century.[3]
Page, William, ed. (1907). A History of the County of Suffolk. Victoria County History. Vol. II: Ecclesiastical History, Religious Houses, Political History, Maritime History, Industries, Schools, Sport, Agriculture, Forestry. Westminster: Archibald Constable & Co. pp. 117–119.
