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.

Elstead

Major Settlement in the Parish of Elstead

Historical Forms

  • Helestede 1128 Dugdv 1318
  • Helstede 1341 Pat
  • Ellestede 1222,1234,1257,1288,1301,1307 Rental 1279 Ass 1332 SR
  • Elestede 1225 Ass 1231,1257 Rental 1336 SR
  • Elsted 1258 Pat
  • Elstede 1294 Ass 1314 Pat 1325 Ass 1337,1390 FF 1342 Ass
  • Elstede grene 1577 MinAcct
  • Elstead 1593 SrWills

Etymology

It is probable that this name is of the same origin as Elsted (PN Sx 34), viz. from OE  ellen-stede, 'place of the elder-trees,' even though no forms with an n have been found. It should be noted that none of the forms is really early.