Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Æstre 1017–35 LibEl 12th

• Ester 1068 EHRxi 1309 Lib 1227

• Estre c.1050 KCD907 c.1200 LibEl 1042–66 12th

• Estre Magna 1213 Abbr

• Estre Alt 1236 Pat

• Heautestre 1251 Ch

• Estre Alta voc. la Plesse 1291 For

• Hautestre 1273 BM

• Hegh Estre 1274 Ipm

• Godith Estre, Godyth Estre 1208–61 FF 1236–1342 Cl 1335–76 Pat 1337 Londin

• Godith(e) Estre, Godyth(e) Estre 1290–6 FF 1291 Tax

• Godich Estre, Godych Estre 1296 FF 1356 Pat

• Godech' Estre 1372 IpmR

• Halghestre 1434 Pat

• Godyve Estre 1296 FF

• Estrā, Estram 1086 DB

• Estra 1086 InqEl 1225 FF

• Godicestre 1198 CurR

• Codicestre 1254 Ass

• Godecestre 1276 Abbr

• Godinestre, Godynestre 1225 Bracton 1309 Cl

• Godinecestre 1305 Pat

• Godihestre, Godyestre (apud Stane) 1235 Ass 1293 Pat

• Godes(h)estre t.Ed1 Ipm 1315 Cl

• Godysestre 1296 Ipm

• Alta Estern' 1275 RH

• Hege estren 1285 Ass

• Heghestren 1313 FF

• Goudichestren 1356 Pat

• Hieghestryn 1386 FF

• Hyesterne 1504 Pat

• Hye Esturne 1567 FF

• High Esterne 1657 EssPRii

• Estringhautre 1279 Pat

• Hancestre 1286 ib

• haut Ostre 1387 Walden

• High Eastre 1300 Misc 1302

• He(y)ghester, He(y)ghestre 1314, 1322 Cl, Fine

• H(e)iestre 1377–90 Pat

• Heystrebury 1387 Walden

• Heestre, Hyestir, Godestyr 1412 FA

• High Cestre 1314 Cl

• Heycestre 1374 Pat

• Godestre 1335–6 Pat 1442 ADi

• Goodestre 1428 FA 1473 BM 1496 Pat

• Good(h)ester 1473 IpmR 1535 VE

• Higheston 1412 FA

• Hyeston 1504 FF

• High Easton 1700 ERxxxi

• Goodester alias Goodestern 1606 EAix

• Goodeastern, Higheastern 1620,1633 EssPRii

• Estalta 1679 ERxxxi

Etymology

Ekwall (Studies 74) has suggested that this name is derived from OE  eowestre , 'sheepfold,' with early loss of w before original i . The form Æstre which has come to light since Ekwall made this suggestion is curious but should be explained as a side- form from the base awistr -. It should be noted that elsewhere in Essex OE  eowestre shows a different and more usual development, v. Oyster Bridge and Hysterdale infra 506, 646.The forms Estern and the like are perhaps from the nom. or dat. pl., cf. in ða eawestran , to ewestrum (BT). Cf. also Austerfield (WRY)Ouestræfelda , Eostrefeld 702, 706 (11th) Eddi's Life of St Wilfrid , Oustrefeld DB, Osterley (PN Mx 66), Ousterley (PN NbDu 153) and Nosterfield (C, PN NRY 223).Good and High are later attributes. High because higher than Good Easter. The latter was 'Gōdgiefu 's Easter.' The confusion of forms would suggest a preference for a similar woman's name Gōdgȳð , were it not for the definite statement that in the reign of Cnut a certain Godiva , widow of a certain comes , gave Easter, Fambridge and Terling to Ely by her will (LibEl 197).