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.

The Forstal

Early-attested site in the Parish of Rotherfield

Historical Forms

  • le Forstalle hende 1441 Ct
  • lez Forstall 1547 Ct

Etymology

The Forstal [fɔsəl] is le Forstalle hende 1441Ct , lez Forstall 1547Ct . Cf. Cooper, Sussex Glossary , 'Fostal , a paddock near a farm house or a way leading thereto.' It is very common in Kent. Literally it is the 'stall in front of the farm-house.'