This paper examines the early documentary evidence for the name Putney and its possible meanings. As with many names first recorded in Domesday Book, there is a considerable gap before the next occurrence. In some cases the new form suggests a change of meaning. Often, such variation is attributed to scribal error or linguistic misunderstanding in 1086. This is the case with Putney. The Domesday form, Putelei, appears only once again with an added element, as Putlewrth in a document of 1222 relating to neighbouring Barnes. Putney itself next occurs as Puttenhuth in 1279, and a sequence of similar forms occurs until the present spelling finally appears in the early sixteenth century. The overlooked 1222 form is further evidence for a name with the generic lēah and means that the DB form may not be corrupt.