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.

Nanhurst

Early-attested site in the Parish of Cranleigh

Historical Forms

  • Knavehirst 1255 Ass
  • Cnaveherst 1263 Ass
  • Knauenhurst 1304 BM 1332 SR
  • Knanyrst 1544 SR
  • Knanhurst 1577 Ct
  • Nanhurst 1765 R.

Etymology

Nanhurst is Cnaueherst 1185, 1190, Cnauenhurst 1186, 1187 P, Knavehirst 1255Ass (p), Cnaveherst 1263Ass (p), Knauenhurst 1304 BM, 1332 SR (p), Knanyrst 1544SR , Knanhurst 1577Ct , Nanhurst 1765 R.OE  cnafena-hyrst , 'wooded hill of the young men,' v. cnafa .