Poulshot
Major Settlement in the Parish of Poulshot
Historical Forms
- Paveshou (sic) 1086 DB
- Paulesholt 1187 P 1216 ClR 1255 RH 1272 FF 1274 Ass 1395 Ct
- Palesholte 1331 Ch
- Pawelesholt(e) 1242 Fees
- Pauelesholt(e) 1249,1268 Ass 1332 SR
- Powelesholt 1268 Ass
- Poulesholt 1335 Cl 1428 FA
- Powlesholde 1553 WMx
- Pollesholde 1585 NQvii
- Pollesholt 1613 FF
- Polshed t.Eliz WMxxi
- Pousall al. Polshead 1675 Ogilby
- Polshott al. Powlsholt 1632 Recov
- Polsholde 1666 SR
Etymology
Poulshot is at first sight a difficult name. The probabilities are however that we should associate it with one or two other similar West Country names. There is a Poleshill in Milverton (So), (æt ) Pauleshele c. 1070 (c. 1150) KCD 897, Pouselle 1086 DB, Pauleshulle , Pawleshele 1278–84 Ipm, Pouleshele 1327 SR, 1391 FF, and a Polsham in the same county, Paulesham 1065 (13th) Wells, Poulesham 13th ib., 1284 FF. All three names alike suggest that the Christian name Paul was early current in the West Country. The normal development of Paul is to Poul (e ) in ME. Hence 'Paul 's wood,' v. holt .