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.

Virginstow

Major Settlement in the Parish of Virginstow

Historical Forms

  • Virginestowe 1174–83 BM
  • Virgenestowe 1278–80 Exon 1394 Ass
  • Virgenystouwe 1334 SR
  • Virstawe 1463 Pat

Etymology

'Holy place of the virgin,' v. stow . The reference is not to the Virgin Mary but to St Bridget the Virgin to whom the church is dedicated.

Places in the same Parish