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.

Prestbury

Major Settlement in the Parish of Prestbury

Historical Forms

  • into Preosdabyrig 899–904 ASChartxvi
  • Presteberie, Prestebir(e), Prestebyr', Prestebur(y) 1086 DB 1216 ClR 1221 Ass 1234 Cl 1241 Ch 1557 Val42d
  • Prestbiri Ric1 Cur
  • Prestbur' 1291 Tax
  • Prestbury(e) 1305 Pat 1453 MinAcct 1473 GlR 1605 Comm
  • Presbery, Presbury Hy7 Rent 1570 FF 1623 Dep

Etymology

'The priests' fortified place' (probably a defended manor house), v. prēost , burh . The place was doubtless named from the priests of Cheltenham minster, whose lands were leased to the Bishop of Hereford in the 8th century (BCS 309). By 1066 Prestbury belonged to the Hereford see.