Gelling (The landscape of place-names, pp 197-8) explains Phynis as a -ness name with an uncertain first element.
But she does not explain why it is spelt with Ph-. Such spellings are rare - Phillack and Philleigh perhaps can be
excused their pseudo-Greek spellings as they contain saints' names. That leaves only Phepson to have its initial
Ph to be explained. But Culpho is another peculiarity (Gelling's `Culphoe' on page 189 is a typoe). Etymologically,
this name should be Culfho. Questions:
1. Why the Ph- in Phynis and Phepson?
2. Could Phynis be an origin of the surname Phoenix?
Keith
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