The village of Funtley in Hampshire and the

Funtley Iron Mill – Henry Cort

Malcolm Low

The Village of Funtley in the 11^th century was called Funtelei; in the 13^th century Funceley or Fonteley; in the 14^th century Funtelegh some of the residents who live there now knew it as Fontley until after the 2^nd world war when sign posts were reintroduced the name was changed to Funtley. It is all to do with the word ‘Funta’ meaning a spring or stream and ‘Leah’ a rough pasture. Apparently rough pastures by the river Meon at Funtley are mentioned in the Domesday records. Looking at maps from 1575; Saxton 1575; Norden 1595 and 1607; Speed 1611; Blaeu 1645; Jansson 1646; Blome 1673; Morden 1685; Kitchen 1751 and Harrison 1788; they quote either Funtley or Great Funtley with Little Funtley. In spite of this, there are two cottages at the top of Funtley Road sharing the name plaque ‘Fontley Cottages’. A booklet is available to read in the Fareham Library Reference Section and The Westbury Manor Museum, West Street, Fareham, Hampshire. (GB)

Funtley Iron Mill The iron mill was sited on the East side of Funtley Lane at the bottom of Iron Mill Lane. All that remains of the works today is the Iron Master's House where Henry Cort lived with his wife and his 14 children, Funtley House the residence from about 1784 until his death in 1812 of Samuel Jellicoe the partner of Henry Cort, the mill pond and a few sluices.

A PDF of Funtley Iron Mill and Henry Court is available to download please click on