Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Fenne, Fennā, Phennā 1086 DB

• Stowe, la Stowe 1222 FF 1248 Ass

• Stowe Parva 1254 Ass

• Stowe by Hockele 1324 FF

• Stowe by Maldon 1366 Londin

• Stowe Mareys 1412 FA

• Stowe Marres 1521 FF

• Stowe Marrys 1549 ib

• Stowe Maryshe t.Eliz ChancP 1601 EAvi

• Stowe Mary(s) alias Marysh(e), Stowe Maris alias Marshe ib. x

• Stouwe by Norton 1308 FF

• Marisco (1250 FF)

• Mareys (1374 Cl)

Etymology

Originally named from the same marsh as Fambridge supra 214–5. v. fenn , stow . For the identification v. VCH i, 394. The feudal addition is from the family name of Robert de Marisco (1250 FF) and John Mareys (1374 Cl), who may have owed their surname to some French place, or may have been given their names from this very marsh. The same family-name has given rise also to Morris Fm infra , Huntspill Marsh (So) and Langley Marish (PN Bk 241–2). As the church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary , the name was easily transformed into Stow St Mary , a version now officially adopted by the Post Office, and one that has led at times to wrong identifications, e.g. Stowe St Mary (s ) (1313 Cl, 1353 Pap) is in Lincs, not Essex.