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.

Purchase Wood

Early-attested site in the Parish of Brightling

Historical Forms

  • Pokeleserse 1176,c.1220 Pens
  • Pokelesherse c.1200,1215–17 Pens
  • Poclesherse 1180–1204 BM
  • Pochelesesse c.1180 Pens

Etymology

Purchase Wood (6″) is probably Pokeleserse 1176, c. 1220 Pens, Pokelesherse c. 1200, 1215–17 Pens, Poclesherse 1180–1204 BM, Pochelesesse c. 1180 Pens. 'Puccel 's ersc,' with a strong form of the diminutive Pucela found in Pucklechurch (Gl), Pucelancyrcan BCS 887. The field-name is possibly repeated in Pochelers in Selsey (1561Ct ). We have no forms after the 12th cent, to clinch the identification but it seems probable. Cf. also Puckston (K), 1198 KAC Pukeleston . In some of these names the first element may be the significant word puccel , 'little goblin.'