 The place name does not appear to have been used before the early 18th century when it started appearing on maps; for example Philip Overton's 1740 map of Sussex and Richard Budgen's map of 1724.It is possible that the idea was taken from Portland Bill, another headland, on the western side of the Solent.Thomas Pennant described the location of "Selsey-bill" in his book "A Journey between London and the Isle of Wight" published in 1801 (note "bill" in minuscule, reflecting the resemblance of the headland to the shape of a bird's beak).