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.

Layston

Major Settlement in the Parish of Layston with Buntingford

Historical Forms

  • Loefstaneschirche (sic) 12th ADv
  • Liefstaneschirch 12th AD
  • Lefstanescherch 1220 Pat
  • Lefstanchirche 1136–50 BM
  • Lefstanecherch 1252–8 ADi
  • Leostanecherche 1197 AC
  • Lefstonchirche 1255 Ass 1313 BM
  • Lefstonechurch 1279 FF
  • Lefstonescherch 1287 ADi
  • Lestoncherche 1287 FF 1314 BM
  • Lestonecherche 13th ADiv 1308 FF
  • Leston Cherche 1289 ADiii
  • Leystonchurche 1535 VE
  • Leyston 1348 Cl 1362 FF 1535 VE
  • Lestone 1365 FF
  • Leaston 1551 Pat

Etymology

'Lēofstān 's church.' For the loss of the second element cf. Hextons Fm (PN Wo 31) and Hilborough (PN Wa 210).