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.

Little Ernesettle

Early-attested site in the Parish of St Budeaux

Historical Forms

  • Yernessetle 1281 Ass
  • Ernessetle 1282 Ch 1328
  • Nythere Ernessettle 1320 Ass
  • Ernissetle 1321 Exon
  • Yernesetele 1383 FF

Etymology

The name may be a compound of OE  earn, 'eagle,' and setl , 'seat, sitting,' etc., referring to the slight elevation here above the Tamar. Alternatively Earn may have been used as a pers. name. Cf. to hafocys setle KCD 832 (Devon).

Places in the same Parish

Major Settlement