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.

Stewdon

Early-attested site in the Parish of Highampton

Historical Forms

  • Styvadon 1333 SR
  • Styvedon 1345 Ass
  • Stefedon t.Hy8 Rental

Etymology

This p.n., like Steventon (Berks), Stifingehæme gemæra BCS 1142, and (Ha), DB Stivetone , Stewley (So), 1225 Ass Stiuelegh , Steeton (Y), Styfington and Styfetun c. 1025 (EHR 28, 16), must contain a pers. name Stifa , a derivative of the adj. stif , 'rigid.' The entire absence of u -forms in all these names is somewhat against OE  Styfa , as suggested by Blomé (144). Stifa or Styfa would alike suit Steventon (PN BedsHu 46).

Places in the same Parish