Polehanger
Early-attested site in the Parish of Meppershall
Historical Forms
- Polehangre 1086 DB 1247 Ass
- Pullehang' 1198 Fees10
- Polhangre 1220 LS 1276 Ass
- Pulehangre 1227 Ass
- Pulhangre 1247 Ass 1291 Tax 1402 BHRSi.102
- Pollehangre 1276 Ass
- Pullanger 1445 ADiv 1461,1483 IpmR 1490 Ipm
- Pullenger Eliz ChancP
Etymology
It is natural to translate this name as 'pool-wood,' v. pol , hangra . The ground slopes down fairly steeply to the farm. If this explanation is correct the pool must be one in the Ivel near the place, for there is no other neighbouring pool. In view of this difficulty, the possibility should not be ignored that the first element here represents a pers. name. The existence of Pul , Pol , as the base of such a name is proved by the diminutive form Pulloc or Polloc which occurs in Pulloxhill, cf. also Pulworthy (D), earlier Poleworthi . It is worth noting that half the forms earlier than 1300 show an e between the l and the h , which may be the remnant of an inflexional an . Moreover, if the name were a compound of pol and hangra , the forms of 1198 and 1276 would be at least abnormal. They suggest strongly derivation from a weak pers. name with a double consonant, Pulla or Polla .