Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Foulness 1693 Collins

Etymology

Foulness, Foulness 1693 Collins, v. fugol and nes 2 , was once a headland of considerable height which projected into the sea. It was probably used as a beacon site long before a lighthouse was erected here in the early 18th century. After a large part of the cliffs on the seaward side of the lighthouse had fallen into the sea, especially through cliff falls in 1825 and 1832, this lighthouse was replaced in 1833 by a new one further inland, now called Cromer Lighthouse. Foulness eventually became completely washed away.