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.

Stowe

Major Settlement in the Parish of Stowe Nine Churches

Historical Forms

  • æt Stowe 956 BCS986 c.1200
  • Stowe 1086 DB
  • Stowe Nichurche 1386 Pat
  • Stow cum novem ecclesiis 1595 Recov
  • Stow of nine churches 1725 Recov
  • Parva Stowe al. with nyne Steples 1576 FF

Etymology

v. stow . The exact sense here is difficult to determine. 'Nine Churches,' according to Bridges (i, 87), from nine churches to which the Lord of the Manor had a right of presentation.' Bridges also tells us that Little Stowe was also known as Butter -Stowe 'from their delivering their butter at a fixed price throughout the year to the London carriers.'

Places in the same Parish