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.

Bestnover

Early-attested site in the Parish of Pevensey

Historical Forms

  • Estenore 1199,1200 Cur
  • Estenoore 13th LewesDeeds
  • Bestenor(e) 1199 Abbr 1250 FF
  • Bestenour 1220 FF
  • Bestenovere c.1240 Pens 1407 IpmR
  • Bystenovere c.1263 Pens
  • Byastenovere 1297 BM
  • Biastenovere 1322 Pat
  • Bestnovre 1527 SAC45,163
  • Southover 1840 TA

Etymology

Bestnover (lost) is Estenore 1199, 1200 Cur, Estenoore 13thLewes Deeds (p), Bestenor (e )1199 Abbr, 1250 FF, Bestenour 1220 FF, Bestenovere c. 1240 Pens (p), 1407 IpmR, Bystenovere c. 1263 Pens, Byastenovere 1297 BM, Biastenovere 1322 Pat, Bestnovre 1527 SAC 45, 163. 'East of the bank or shore,' v. ofer , with prefixed bi . Cf. the history of Bastwood , PN Wo 48. There was also a Southnover in the parish 1573AsM , Southover 1840TA . It lay east of Pevensey Bridge.