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.

Pursley Fm

Early-attested site in the Parish of Shenley

Historical Forms

  • Puresle 1208 FF
  • Poresle 1345 ib
  • Purleis al. Purseles 1596 FF

Etymology

Pursley Fm (6″) is Puresle 1208FF , Poresle 1345 ib. (both p), Purleis al. Purseles 1596 FF. It may be that we have here the word pur , 'bittern,' found in Purleigh (PN Ess 222) and Purley (Berks). Hence 'bittern's wood or clearing,' v. leah .