Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• (bosci de) Poerston(e) 1247 For 1270 Ass 1268 Hutch3 1278 FA 1285 Ass 1288

• Poereston 1257 FF

• Peterstone 1278 Misc

• Petreston 1316 FA

• Preston' 1280,1288 Ass

• Preston or Pierson 1795 Boswell

• Preston or Peeston 1869 Hutch3

• Power(e)ston 1303 FA 1305 Abbr 1333 FF 1428 FA

• Powkerston 1346 FA

• Poureston 1396 IpmR

• 'Poureston by Gylyngham' 1397 Cl 1415

• Pyryston 1431 FA

• Pur(e)ston 1481 IpmR 1502 Ipm

• Perston 1629 Ct

• Pearston Cmn 1839 TA

• Pierston 1869 Hutch3

Etymology

'Poer's manor', a post-Conquest name in tūn like Forston and Herrison 1340 (v. IPN 131). Adam Poer held land in Gillingham in 1258For (10, m. 7r), and Aleyn le Poer is mentioned in connection with this place in 1268Ass (202, m. 11d); the surname is probably from OFr  Pohier 'a Picard', v. Reaney s. n. Poor . The forms Peterston (e ), Petreston (e ) suggest early confusion of the first part of the name with the common pers.n. and surname Piers (of which Peter , from Lat  Petrus , was the learned form). The Preston forms show metathesis of r as well as association with the common p.n. type from prēost 'priest' and tūn .