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.

Freeswell

Early-attested site in the Parish of Cranleigh

Historical Forms

  • atte Furshull 1294 Ass
  • La Furshulle 1304 BM 1359 AddCh
  • Fushill 1485 SrWills
  • Freswell 1544 SR
  • Freeswell 19th VCHiii,89

Etymology

Freeswell (local) is atte Furshull 1294Ass (p), La Furshulle 1304 BM, 1359AddCh , Fushill 1485 SrWills, Freswell 1544SR , Freeswell 19th VCH iii, 89. 'Furze or bracken hill.' The later and modern forms are corrupt.