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.

Sturford

Early-attested site in the Parish of Corsley

Historical Forms

  • Stereford t.Ed1 For
  • Sturforde 1558 Longleat

Etymology

Sturford is Stereford t. Ed 1For , Sturforde 1558Longleat .The place lies near the headwaters of the stream which gives name to Whitbourne infra . If reliance may be placed on the first form the name is a compound of OE  stēor , 'steer' (or stēora , gen. pl. of the same word), and ford. Hence 'steer's ford' or 'steers' ford,' because frequented by such, ēo might, well appear later as u . Cf. Introd. xx.