Kismeldon (Bridge)
Early-attested site in the Parish of West Putford
Historical Forms
- Kestelmeledon 1219 Ass
- Kystemeldon' 1242 Fees787 1330 SR
- Kistemeldon' 1244 Ass
- Kystumelbreggy, Kistelmelebrigge 1279 Ipm
- Custummelbrigge 1283 Pat
- Kytelmelbrig' al. Kustemelebrugg' 1283 Ipm
- Kystemele Brugg 1366 Ch
- Kystermeldon 1303 FA
- Kistermelebrigge 1318 Ch
- Kestmelbrug 1343,1346 Ipm
Etymology
The etymology of this name is suggested in EPNs. v. cristelmæl . This word, which has a metathesised form cyrstelmæl , denotes a cross or crucifix. It is found five times in lists of boundaries in OE charters, the most interesting reference being to one standing on a watch-hill (wearddune þær þæt cristelmæl stod BCS 1176). It is compounded with ac (BCS 204) and beam (BCS 919), denoting apparently an oak or other tree on which there was a crucifix, and with leah in the unidentified cristemeleighe (BCS 768) in Dorset. It would seem to be a variant by dissimilation of a more regular cristenmæl , i.e. Christian sign, found in a different text of BCS 919. The down and bridge seem independently to have been named from the same cross.