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.

Kits Bridge

Early-attested site in the Parish of Worth

Historical Forms

  • Kyte bridge 1600 Rowe
  • Ketebrugg' 1332 SR

Etymology

Kits Bridge (6″) is called Kyte bridge in 1600 (Rowe) and may have given name to Richard de Ketebrugg ' (1332 SR). Probably 'kite bridge,' i.e. where such are seen flying, kete being a ME form from OE  cȳte such as we might expect in this area. Cf. Kidbrook (K), Ketebroc , Ketebrok (1207, 1300 BM, 1316 FA), Kydebrok (1314 BM) and the unidentified cytanbroces æwielm (BCS 692) in Hampshire. The modern form is probably pseudo-etymological.