St Mary Overy
Early-attested site in the Parish of Southwark
Historical Forms
- St Mary Overe 1353,1361 LdnWills
- Overhee 1361 ib
- Overee 1364 Ct
- Ovree 1368 LdnWills
- Overey 1398,1445 ib
- Overeye c.1433 AnnMon
- Overays 1553 Machyn
- Overes 1555 ib
- Saint Mary over the Rie or Ouerie that is over the water 1598 Stow
Etymology
St Mary Overy. This appears in early records as St Mary Overe 1353, 1361 LdnWills, Overhee 1361 ib., Overee 1364Ct , Ovree 1368 LdnWills, Overey 1398, 1445 ib., Overeye c. 1433 AnnMon, Overays 1553 Machyn, Overes 1555 ib., Saint Mary over the Rie or Ouerie that is over the water 1598 Stow, …called St Mary Over Rhe because it standeth beyond the River of Thames in regard of London 1637 Holland's Camden . The interpretation suggested by Stow and Camden is probably correct, the second element being OE ea, 'water, river.'