Coneyhurst and Coneyhurst Hill (now Pitch Hill)
Early-attested site in the Parish of Ewhurst
Historical Forms
- Coningeshurst 1263 Ass
- Conynghurst 1546 Ct
- Conyhurst 1518–29 ECP
- Conyherst 1524 SR
- Conyhurst Hill 1765 R 1785 Cary 1789 LandC 1823 G
- Coneyhurst Hill 1816 O.S.
- Pitch Hill 1823 Br
- Ewhurst Hill 1662 Ct
Etymology
Coneyhurst and Coneyhurst Hill (now Pitch Hill) are Coningeshurst 1263Ass (p), Conynghurst 1546Ct , Conyhurst 1518–29 ECP, Conyherst 1524 SR, Conyhurst Hill 1765 R, 1785 Cary, 1789 L and C, 1823 G, Coneyhurst Hill 1816 O.S., Pitch Hill 1823 Br. 'Rabbit wood,' v. hyrst . conyng is common as a ME form of cony from OFr conin . The hill is now usually known as Pitch Hill, though still marked Coneyhurst Hill on the 1″ and 6″ maps. Pitch is probably the dialectal pitch , 'short steep hill,' and was no doubt at first applied to the steep scarp of the sand stone ridge here, just above the Windmill Inn. Cf. le Pytches (1548LRMB ) in Coulsdon. Another alternative name may have been Ewhurst Hill (1662Ct et passim ).