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.

Mount Sorrell olim Mousehill

Early-attested site in the Parish of Broad Chalke

Historical Forms

  • Moleshulle al. Mountsorrell 1568 FF
  • Molleshillfeld 1570 PembSurv
  • Mousehill vel Mountsorell 1590 Wilton
  • Montshill 1642 SR
  • Mousehole 1773 AandD
  • Mousehill or Mussell 1804 Hoare
  • Moleshulle, Molushulle 1327,1332 SR
  • Molleshulle 1356 Ass
  • Muntsorel 1279,1281 Ass
  • Montesorelli c.1280 Wilton

Etymology

Mount Sorrell olim Mousehill. This name has been changed as shown by the succession of forms Moleshulle al. Mountsorrell 1568FF , Molleshillfeld 1570 PembSurv, Mousehill vel Mountsorell 1590Wilton , Montshill 1642SR , Mousehole 1773 A and D, Mousehill or Mussell 1804 Hoare. It was originally the home of Robert de Moleshulle , Molushulle (1327, 1332SR ) and Roger de Molleshulle (1356Ass ), i.e. probably 'Moll 's hill.' It came into the possession of the family of Henry de Muntsorel (1279, 1281Ass ), de Montesorelli (c. 1280Wilton ), from Mountsorrell (Lei), and was then given a new manorial name.