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.

Dean Prior

Major Settlement in the Parish of Dean Prior

Historical Forms

  • Dena 1086 DB
  • La Dene 1244 FF
  • Dene Prioris 1316 FA
  • Dene Pryour 1415 Exon
  • Niderdenam t.Hy2 Oliver
  • Nitheredene 1242 Fees781
  • Netherden 1326 Ipm
  • Over(e)dene 1242 Fees781 1244 FF

Etymology

v. denu . The manor was held from the 11th cent. by the priors of Plympton Priory. Over Dean must refer to the part of Dean around the church, Nether Dean to the place now called simply Dean, in the valley below. v. neoðera .