Purshull
Early-attested site in the Parish of Elmbridge
Historical Forms
- Pershulle 1210 RBE 1275 SR
- Purshull' 1242 Fees960 1286 Ipm 1335 Ch 1346,1431 FA 1439 IpmR
- Pursill, Pursell, Pursall 1549 Pat 1558,1579 Wills
Etymology
It is difficult to make any suggestion in explanation of these forms as they stand, but Habington (i. 462) gives a form Purteshull which, if it is correct, makes a suggestion possible. There is some evidence for an OE pers. name Purta , cf. Purtanig (W) in BCS 1093, Purfleet (Ess), earlier Pourteflete , a lost Portpool (Mx), 1203Purtepol . If this name existed, a strong form Pyrti , with mutation of the stem vowel, would explain the forms of Purshull. Hence (possibly) 'Pyrti's hill,' v. hyll .