English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Pyt Ho

Early-attested site in the Parish of Ashampstead

Historical Forms

  • Pithowse 1503 PubLib
  • Pitthouse 1631,1654 ib
  • Pitthowse 1667 ib
  • Mannor of Pithouse 1747 ArchJ
  • Pit House 1846 Snare

Etymology

Pyt Ho, Pithowse 1503PubLib , Pitthouse 1631, 1654ib , Pitthowse 1667ib , Mannor of Pithouse 1747 ArchJ 16, Pit House 1846 Snare.Cf. Willelmus de Puteo c. 1180 Rutland, Roger atte Putte 1318 Cl, Miles Atte Putte 1326 ib, all in Ashampstead. v. pytt 'pit'. The 6″ map marks a number of old chalk pits in the vicinity. Pyt Ho was probably the manor-house of the northern half of Ashampstead (VCH iii, 449–50, where it is also stated that the Pitt family were living here in the 16th cent.).