English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Reed

Early-attested site in the Parish of Bratton Clovelly

Historical Forms

  • Estrude 1504–15 ECP4,243
  • Reed 1686 FF
  • Rood 1765 D

Etymology

This is probably OE  hreod, 'reed,' the first form showing the usual Devon u for OE  ēo . There is much marshy land near this spot.