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.

Milkhurst Wood

Early-attested site in the Parish of Heathfield

Historical Forms

  • Melkherst 1279 Ass 1296 SR
  • Melkhurst 1327 SR
  • Milkeherst 1288 Ass

Etymology

Milkhurst Wood (6″) is Melkherst 1279Ass , 1296 SR, Melkhurst 1327 SR, Milkeherst 1288Ass (all p). There can be little doubt that the first element here is OE  meoluc, but why a wood should thus be associated with milk it is difficult to say. There may have been a small farm here, noted for such. Cf. meoluc cumb (BCS 620).