Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Bunstedā 1086 DB

• Bunsted(e) c.1150 Ch(Facs) 1159–90 RBE

• Bunsted(e) Helyon 1234 FF

• Bunsted(e) Eliun, Bunsted(e) atte Tour' 1285 Ass

• Bummestedā, Bumesteda 1086 DB

• Bumested(e) t.Hy2,1204 Stoke

• Bumested(e) Sce Marie 14th ib

• Bom(e)steda, Bom(e)stede 1154–62 Colch t.Hy2 Stoke 1203 FF 1212 RBE

• Bomstede alatour 1284 FF

• Bomstede Helyoun 1332 Ipm 1428 FA

• Bomestud' 1203 FF

• Bomestid Comitis 1284 Queens

• Bumsted(e), Bumsted(a) 1157 WDB 1167–91 P 1200–5 FF

• Bumsted(a) Parva 1215–36 Fees

• Bumsted(a) Helyun 1248 Ass

• Bumsted(a) Elyun 1253 FF 1255 Ass

• Stepilbumstede, Stepelbumstede 1260–92 FF

• Bumstede Comitis 1294 ib

• Bumstede Comitis Hoxonie 1296 WDB

• Bumstede ad Turrim 1428 FA

• Stapulbumsted 1451 Pat

• Bumstede Heleyns 1554 FF

• Bumste 1294 Ct

• Bumpsted(e) 1238 SR

• Bumpsted(e) ad Turrim 1335 Londin

• Earl's Bumpsted(e) 1370 FF

• Bumpsted(e) atte Tour 1391–1421 ECP

• Bumpsted(e) Helyon 1428 FA

• Bumpsted(e) Elyns 1544 LP

• Bumpsted(e) Hellyn 1570 FF

• Helyun 1254 Ass

• Boumstede 1330 Ch

• Staple Bampsted 1550 Pat

Etymology

This is not an easy name but the probabilities are that it is a compound of OE  bune and stede. bune is used of (i) 'a hollow stem, kex,' cf. kyx or bunne or dogweed (Prompt Parv.), (ii) 'the stalk of flax or hemp,' (iii) 'reeds,' and bun (e )stede probably denotes a place where such grow. Reeds grow in the little stream which flows through Steeple Bumpstead. Compounds of stede with a plant-name are fairly common. Cf. Napsted supra 447, Hempstead (Nf and infra 511), Linstead and Nettlestead (Sf).

Steeple Bumpstead was formerly called Little , cf. supra 419 for one suggestion as to the name. The reference, however, may be to the tower of the church (that at Helion is a modern brick tower). The church is dedicated to St Mary .

Helion (formerly Great ) from Tihel the Breton (Brito ) who held the manor in 1086 (DB). His name occurs once as Tihel de Herion (v. IPN 106) and he came from Helléan in Morbihan (VCH i, 349). Comitis from Alberic de Vere, Earl of Oxford, a descendant of Alberic de Vere who held the manor of (Helion) Bumpstead Hall in 1086 (DB).