Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Podechesai(e) 1086 DB

• Podekesey c.1260 WYD

• Pudekesseya 12 Kirkst

• Pudekessai 1250–60 Bodl21a

• Pudekesei(a), Pudekesaie, Pudekesaye, Pudekesey 12 Kirkst e.13 1217–41 YDiii Hy3 BM c.1220 Kirkst

• Pudekesheye 13 WYD

• Pudekeshee 1203 FF

• Pudekeshay 1219 FF

• Pudkesai e.13 Kirkst

• Pudegesaia Hy3 Calv

• Pugdesaia 13 Hem275

• Pudgsay 1265 Linds

• Pugesay 13,Hy3 Hem276,ii,24

• Pudesay 13 YDi 1294 YDiv 1384 Calv

• Pudeshay 1309 BM

• Pudusey c.1265 Calv

• Pudsay, Pudsey 1394 Calv 1401 BM 1430 Pat 1641 Rates

• Pudessay, Pudessey Hy3 BM 1261 YI 1290,c.1304 Calv

• Puddesay 1260–70 Bodl22 1316 Vill 1318 BM

• Podesey Hy3 BM 1303 KF 1346 Calv

• -heye Hy3 BM

• Podusay Hy3 BM c.1312 Calv

• Poduscey 1285 KI

Etymology

Pudsey stands on the top of a hill which slopes steeply down on almost every side, and from a topographical point of view it presents a problem similar to that of Wibsey 10supra . The second el. is unlikely to be ēg in its usual sense 'water-meadow', though phonologically that seems to suit the spellings. It is more probably (ge)hæg 'enclosure' or hēah 2 'high ground, height'. The first el. is an OE  pers.n. Pudoc , a normal derivative of the recorded OE  Puda or a nickname from OE  puduc 'a wart'.