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.

Pen Hill Lane

Early-attested site in the Parish of Royston

Historical Forms

  • Penihal 13 ADi
  • Peniale 14 ib
  • Long & Short Penhill 1845 TA

Etymology

Pen Hill Lane, Penihal 13 AD i, Peniale 14 ib iii, Long & Short Penhill 1845TA , probably denoting 'nook of land worth a penny', v. pening , halh . In 1308 WCR ii, 86 ff, amounts are given for taking over the lord's wasteland and the price varied from 1d. to 8d. an acre; such a name as Pen Hill might have arisen from some such payment, as well as from the payment of an annual rent of a penny.

Places in the same Parish

Other OS name

Early-attested site