Yorkshire Wood
Early-attested site in the Parish of Ewhurst
Historical Forms
- Gergneshelle 1184 Pens c.1230
- Jerc(h)nescelle, Jercneselle 1195 Pens
- Jercneshal, Jercneshell, Jerkeshelle c.1207 Pens
- Yercneselle c.1210 Pens
- Jarchnesell c.1220 Pens
- Erkenesell 1279 Ass
- Herknesulle 1296 SR
Etymology
Here we must have a pet-form Eorcon of one of the OE pers. names in Eorcon -. It is noteworthy that this rather rare element is found in the names of two kings of Kent, Eorconbeorht and Eorcongota . OGer Erchan (a ) is found as a pers. name (Förstemann PN 457–8). Initial [j] shows a common ME dialectal development from OE initial eo . The second element is probably OE geselle as in Buxshalls supra 340, hence 'Eorcon's buildings.'