Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Brig(ge)stere, Brigestere, Bryg(ge)stere 1227–37 Kendii,117 1345 Cl 1612 Kendi,163

• Brigster 1265–75 1292 1295 CWxviii,135 1544 Kendii,132

• Brigsteer(e) 1553 FF 1663 1777 M

• Brigstear(e) 1559 PR(K) 1562 Kendii,134 1580 PR(K) 1695 PR(Cr)

• Brigsteire 1608 FF

• Brygestre 1537 Kendi,154

• Brigstre 1569 ib

Etymology

Brigsteer [ˈbrigˈstə], Brig (ge )stere , Brigestere , Bryg (ge )stere 1227–37 Kend ii, 117(p), 1345 Clet freq to 1612 Kend i, 163, Brigster 1265–75 ib ii, 181, 1292 ib i, 136, 1295 CW xviii, 135et freq to 1544 Kend ii, 132, Brigsteer (e )1553FF , 1663 ib, 1777 M, Brigstear (e )1559 PR(K), 1562 Kend ii, 134, 1580 PR(K)et freq to 1695 PR(Cr), Brigsteire 1608FF , Brygestre 1537 Kend i, 154, Brigstre 1569 ib ii, 197. An inversion compound (cf. Rigmaden i, 51supra ) of brycg 'bridge' and possibly the ON  pers.n. Styrr , but the regular ME  form -ster (e ) and the later -stear (e ), -steer would favour OE  stēor 'steer, young bullock' (or the ME  nickname Steer derived from it, for which cf. Reaney 307). The bridge may have been one across Underbarrow Pool to the low-lying pastures on Helsington Moss or a 'hard' or causeway across the marshland.