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.

Pooley Hall

Early-attested site in the Parish of Polesworth

Historical Forms

  • Povelee, Powelee t.Hy3 Ipm
  • Pouele(ye) 1242 Pat 1398 FF 1255 BM 1285
  • Poleye 1234 Cl 1504 Ipm
  • la Polie 1299 Ipm
  • Pole 1316 FA
  • Polley 1388 IpmR
  • Poleyheth 1471 Moulton
  • Pulley 1535 VE
  • Pollehay 1542 MinAcct
  • Pollehey 1547 Monast
  • Polehay 1585 LRMB

Etymology

The first element of this name should be compared with that of Povington (PN Do 137), DB Povintona , and Punish Wood (PN K 151). Wallenberg suggests for the latter the possibility of a pers. name Pufa of the nickname type, denoting the 'puffer' or 'blower.' Hence possibly 'Pufa 's woodland or clearing.'