Charleston
Early-attested site in the Parish of West Firle
Historical Forms
- Cerlocestone 1086 DB
- Cherlakeston(e) 1107–23 Add 1230 FF
- Cherlakestune 1200–10 BM
- Cherlekeston t.Rici Add
- Chirlacestone
- Charlaxton 1307 Misc 1401 FA
- Chirlakestone c.1190 ADA15436
- Charlokeston 1235 FF 1399 SRS8,103 1413 Cicestr
- Charlacton 1316 Ipm
- Charleston al. Charleton 1558 Add
- Challston al. Charleston 1614 FM
Etymology
It is difficult to derive this name from OE cerlic , *cearloc , 'charlock,' owing to the persistent genitival form of the first element. Ceorl is well-recognised as a pers. name in OE ; possibly there was also a compound Ceorl -lāc . Förstemann (PN 359) gives two or three compounds of OGer Carl -.