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.

Chesil Beach

Early-attested site in the Parish of Portland

Historical Forms

  • Chesil Bank 1811 OS
  • the Chisil, bank of Chisil, Chisille bank 1535–43 Leland
  • The Beach of Pebbles 1710 Map
  • The Beach or Chesil, called also Steepstone Beach 1774 Hutch1

Etymology

Chesil Beach, Chesil Bank 1811 OS, the Chisil , bank of Chisil , Chisille bank 1535–43 Leland, The Beach of Pebbles 1710 Map, The Beach or Chesil , called also Steepstone Beach 1774 Hutch1, from cisel 'shingle', with bece 1 , bank(e), stēap 'steep', stān , cf. prec.; this ridge of pebbles extends for some 16 miles between Portland and Burton Bradstock.

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site

Other OS name

Major Settlement