Slathurst
Early-attested site in the Parish of Stedham
Historical Forms
- Sluthurst 1296 SR
- Slethurst 1332 SR
Etymology
Slathurst is found only in pers. names Sluthurst (1296 SR) and Slethurst (1332 SR). We have clearly the same element here as in Sluts Cottages infra 229 and in the pers. name John atte Slutte (1296 SR), Wm atte Slucte (ib.), Slutte (1327 SR), belonging to Ashurst and Ifield, probably also in field-names la Slette (1263), le Slute (1502). Professor Ekwall suggests that we have here the word sleet , from OE slīete , used however in the sense 'mud' or the like. That is a meaning which its various cognates, both German and Scandinavian, commonly develop (v. Falk and Torp s. v. slud ). There are also Sluts Lane in Lindfield and Sluts Wood in Peasmarsh which probably contain the same element.