Survey of English Place-Names

Etymology

Corfe Castle was a borough by prescription, but was not incorporated until 1576, after which it remained a borough until 1883 (Kelly). It is now a hundred in itself (ib) and is very occasionally referred to as such earlier, though usually it is described as burgus or ville (for a description of the extents of 'the liberties of the Towne of Corff', v. 1381 (16) Pitt (ff. 67–8), 1381 Misc and Hutch3 1 497–8). Blashenwell and Encombe earlier lay in Hasler hundred, whilst Afflington, Kingston, Ower, Rollington, and Rempstone were earlier included in Rowbarrow hundred. Kingston, formerly a parochial chapelry, has been a separate ecclesiastical par. since 1877 (Kelly). Three small tenements on the shores of Poole Harbour - Goddins, Greenland and Phillips - were part of Corfe C. in 1795 Boswell but are now in Studland par. infra ; likewise, at the same date, Knaveswell now in Langton Mat. par. infra , and Swalland now in Kimmeridge par. infra . Ailwood and Westwood were formerly (1795 Boswell) in the manor of Langton Wallis in Langton Mat. par. infra .

Major Settlements

• Corfe Castle