Pulborough
Major Settlement in the Parish of Pulborough
Historical Forms
- Poleberge 1086 DB
- Poleberegh 1286 FF
- Puleberga 1167 P 1217 FF 1252 Pat 1265 Misc
- Pollebergh 1220 Ass 1296 SR
- Polleburgh 1286 FF
- Pulleberg' 1242 Fees689
- Pulleberhe 1271 Ass
- Pullebere 1279 Ass
- Pulbergh 1247 Ch
- Pulberge 1252 Pat
- Pulbergh(e) 1327 SR 1510 LP
- Pulberwe 1304 Ipm
- Pulburgh 1309,1496 Ipm
- Pulborough 1479 IpmR
- Polberghe 1316 FA 1341 Ipm
Etymology
The persistent early medial e makes derivation from OE pol or pull unlikely, though the topography is suggestive of that for there may have been a large pool in the bend of the Arun here in days of old. It should be borne in mind however that there is evidence for a pers. name Pulla , Polla (v. PN BedsHu 172) and cf. further Pulworthy (D), earlier Poleworthy , away from any stream. The name may therefore be either 'hill by the pool' or 'Pulla's hill.' If we could rely on the form Polemberg that would be decisive in favour of a pers. name, for it could only represent OE Pullan-beorg .