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.

Swanshurst

Early-attested site in the Parish of Yardley

Historical Forms

  • Swaneshurst 1221,1255 Ass 1345 FF
  • Swanhurste 1275 SR
  • Swanneshurste 1332 SR
  • Swanshurst 1677 FF

Etymology

It is impossible to say whether the first element in this name is OE  swann , 'swan,' or OE  swān , 'peasant.' The swān alternative is the more probable. The second is hyrst .