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.

Todhurst Fm

Early-attested site in the Parish of Walberton

Historical Forms

  • Todehurst, Thodenhurst 1279 Ass

Etymology

Todhurst Fm is Todehurst , Thodenhurst in 1279Ass , v. hyrst .One might suggest the same first element as for Todhurst in Kirdford supra 108 were it not for the inflexional en . If that is correct we must have the same element which is found in Todenham (Gl), Todanhomm in BCS 313, Todbury (So), Todanberghe (together with Todanbrigge ) in BCS 776, Todber (Do), DBTodeberie and the unidentified Surrey Todancamp in BCS 820. This would seem to be the gen. sg. of a pers. name Toda but the affinities of such are obscure. Possibly it was originally a nickname connected with the word tod , 'bushy mass' but the history of that word is itself obscure. It is only on record quite late in English (v. NED s. v .).

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site

Major Settlement