Although there is little archaeological evidence of Anglo-Saxon activity in the area following the departure of the Romans, local place names incorporate Old English elements like "tūn" ("farmstead"), suggesting that they were founded in that period. Nearby examples are Thornton, Marton and Carleton. Poulton was recorded in 1086 as "Poltun"; the name is derived from the Old English words "pull" or "pōl" + "tūn" meaning "farmstead by a pool or creek". In later years it was recorded variously as "Pultun", "Polton", "Potton", "Poolton" and "Poulton". The affix "le-Fylde" ("in the district called the Fylde") was added in 1842 with the arrival of the Penny Post, to distinguish the town from Poulton-le-Sands, a village that is now part of Morecambe.