East Prawle
Early-attested site in the Parish of Chivelstone
Historical Forms
- Prenla 1086 DB
- Prałł 1169 P
- Pral 1254 Ass 1285,1316 FA 1334,1340 SR
- Praule 1203 Cur 1308 Exon
- Praulle 1242 Fees786
- Prahulle, Prahelle 1204 Cur
- Prahall 1214 HMCxvApp.7
Etymology
Prawle Point is a prominent headland, and Professor Ekwall writes as follows: “The name means 'look-out hill.' The first element is connected with OE beprīwan , 'to wink the eye,' prēowthwīl , 'twinkling of an eye.' From this was formed a noun prāw or prǣw (or both), the common base being an a -stem *praiwaz , *praiwiz , meaning 'the act of peering.' The OE name may be Prāwhyll or Prǣwhyll or else Prāhyll , Prǣhyll . A base *praiwa (*praiwi ) would give us prā and prāw , prǣ and prǣw , side by side. Perhaps Prǣhyll is most likely.” See more fully Ekwall, Studies 79–80.