Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Pævenisel 788 BCS252 12th

• Peuenisel 790 BCS259 12th

• Pevenesel 1086 DB 1387 ADiii

• Pefenesea 947 BCS822

• Peuenesea 1046 ASC 12th FW c.1150

• Pefenesse 1049 ASC 11th

• Pevenesæ 11th BayeuxTapestry

• Peuenesee 1198 FF 1407 IpmR

• Pevenesheth 1216 Pat

• Pevenesham 1226–57 Ch

• Pevense 1265 Misc

• Pevese 1274 Pat 1320 Ch

• Pemse 1370–7 SAC1,21

• Pemsey 1500 ADii 1673 MarL

• Pevemsey 1590 MarL

• Pevensey al. Pemsey 1639 SRS19,89

• Pemsye al. Pevensye 1665 LewesDeeds

Etymology

Here, as in Pensfold supra 160 we have a pers. name Pefen , otherwise unrecorded. It is clearly allied to the pers. name Pefi found in Pusey (Berks) and Pewsey (W), Peuesige in BCS 748. For such n -names, v. IPN 171. The second element is eg , 'marsh-land.' For the final -el in numerous early forms, due to AFr influence, v. Zachrisson, Some instances of Latin influence on English Place -Nomenclature 27. For Andredesceaster , the earlier name of Pevensey, v. s. n . The Weald supra 1.