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.

Crowhurst

Major Settlement in the Parish of Crowhurst

Historical Forms

  • on Croghyrste 772 BCS208 c.1300
  • Croherst, Crohurst 1086 DB 1280 Misc
  • Chroerst 12th Harl
  • Cruherst 1245 Ch
  • Crawehurst 1274 Pat
  • Crawehirst 1315 Pat
  • Crawenherst 1288 Ass
  • Craueherst 1302 FA
  • Crauhurst 1316 FA
  • Crouherst, Crouhurst 1278 Misc 1342 Ipm
  • Crouweherstbrigg 1279 Ass
  • Crow(e)hurst 1291 Tax 1535 VE

Etymology

For this difficult name reference can only be made to the discussion of Crowle in PN Wo 316, where it is shown that the first element may have various senses including those of 'saffron,' 'mud' and 'tendril.' 'Saffron' is not very likely here (v. hyrst ). It is clear that crog , which would naturally give ME  crow (e ), was confused with the common ME  crawe , crowe , 'crow.'

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site