Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Cerotaesei, id est Ceroti insula c.750 Bede

• Cirotesige, Cirotesege, Cirotesegt, Cerotesege 675 BCS 13th

• Certeseg 827 BCS394 13th

• Certeseye 933 BCS697 13th

• Certesi 1086 DB

• Certeseye 1129–30 BM 1466 Pat

• Ceortes ege c.880 BCS558 967 BCS1195 13th

• Ceortesige 964 ASC 10th

• Ceortesige 11th Thorpe c.1200

• Ceoreteseye 1006–12 KCD718 13th

• Ceortesege 1084,1140 ASC c.1150

• Ceroteseg id est Cirotis insula 889 BCS563 13th

• Ceortesig, Cyrtesig c.1000 Saints

• Ceorteseig c.1000 ASBede

• Chierteseye 1297 FF

• Chertece 1310 Cl

• Cherteseye 1311–14 Ipm

• Chertisheye 1327–31 Ipm

• Chirteseye 1410 Pat

• Chirchsey 1491 FF

• Chertsea 1706 Recov

• Charteseye 1354–60 Ipm 1387 FF

• Charsey 1522 FF t.Hy8 MinAcct 1535 VE

• Charsaie 1543 LP

• Chersey al. Chertsey 1559 Recov

• Chirsey 1552 SACiv

• Chutsey 1606 SACxii

Etymology

This name would seem to be one of a rare type, viz. one with an English second element preceded by a personal name of Celtic origin. The personal name must be the British name found in Latinised form as Cerotus in a Romano-British inscription from London. Cf. Ekwall in IPN (20). The second element is eg , 'island, well-watered land.'