Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Pleithinghurst (sic) 1332 SR

Etymology

Fletchinghurst Barn (6″) is Pleithinghurst (sic)1332 SR, Plecchincherst 1354, Plecchynghurst 1366, Plachynghurst 1384, Blachyngherst 1385, Plechynghurst 1400Norfolk (all p). It is difficult to be sure of the original form of this name, but probably we are right in taking it as a compound of hyrst and a first element Plecching , the initial consonant showing the same curious change that we have in Flishinghurst (K), earlier Plussinghurst (cf. KPN 99). The further history and meaning of this first element are obscure. There is a ME  vb. pleche , plasche and the like, of Romance origin, with derivative noun pleaching , etc., denoting the action of forming a hedge or fence by the intertwining of twigs and the like, and it is conceivable that a compound pleching-hurst might arise to describe a wood where some such process had taken place, or a wood from which twigs for pleaching were taken. The allied NFr  plessis , 'terrain enclos de haies entrelacées,' has given rise to more than one English place-name; cf. Plessey (Nb), Pleshy (Ess), Plashes (Herts), Plessey 1310 Wollaton.