Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Verleston' 1220 Fees

• Marteleston' 1241 Ass 1327 SR

• Marteleston 1275–6 RH 1316 FA

• Martalleston' 1284 Ass

• Erleston' Martel 1241 Ass

• Martelston 1264–5 InqMisc

• Martilstan' 1391 RecOffCat

• Martleston 1412 FA

• Marleston 1571 SpecCom

• Marston 1535 VE 1761 Rocque

Etymology

'Martel's estate'. The place is not mentioned by name in DB, but it is stated VCH iii, 292, to be probably identical with 4 hides in Bucklebury held by the Count of Evreux, who gave all his lands in England to a monastery at Noyon. The first recorded sub-tenant of the manor was Geoffrey Martel , mentioned in a document of 1189–99.Gilbert Martel was the tenant in 1240.

The forms from 1220 Fees and 1241Ass might have been considered to indicate an original 'earl's tūn', but as there is no support for this in the manorial history they are best regarded as erroneous.