From: The English Place-Name List <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Steve Doerr <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: 14 January 2021 13:47
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Mermaids

The records I have for the place in Bury St Edmunds (TL858657, now covered by the sugar factory) all lack the apostrophe:

Mer Maid Pitts 1783 Hodskinson's map, Mermaid Pits 1905 OS 6", etc.

1905 OS 6" does have the final <s> though: https://maps.nls.uk/view/101577269#zoom=8&lat=4273&lon=2543&layers=BT . I think all OS maps have the plural, but they flip-flop as to whether to add an apostrophe. The 1885 edition, for instance, had it: https://maps.nls.uk/view/101577272#zoom=8&lat=4273&lon=2543&layers=BT .

Mermaids Pits on TA Map 1845.

--
Steve