Spithurst
Early-attested site in the Parish of Barcombe
Historical Forms
- Splytherst 1296 SR
- Splidhurst 1327 SR
Etymology
Spithurst may have been the home of Alexander and Richard de Splytherst (1296 SR) and Lenota Splidhurst (1327 SR). If so the modern form of the name is corrupt. It is difficult to interpret splytherst otherwise than as 'split-wood,' i.e. one with a way through it, but if so the word 'to split' is 300 years earlier than the oldest quotation in the NED suggests.