Kidderminster
Major Settlement in the Parish of Kidderminster
Historical Forms
- Chideminstre 1086 DB
- Kedeleministre 1154 RBE
- Kidemenistra 1168 P
- Kedemenistra 1190 P
- Kyderemunstre c.1200 BM
- Kydeministre 1232 Cl
- Kiddeministre 1242 Cl
- Kydiminstre 1270 Cl
- Kydermunstre 1275 SR 1315 Cl
- Kederminster, Kedermynstre 1419,1435 IpmR
- Kyddermynster, Kedermistre, Kethermyster 1550 Pat
- Kedermister 1610 Speed
- Kidderminster al. Kederminster 1675 Ogilby
Etymology
The OE pers. names Cyda , Cydda , Cyddi are well established, and a derivative Cydel (a ) lies behind Kidlington (O). If the form of 1154 is genuine it suggests that Kidderminster contains the latter name and that subsequent forms with r are due to Anglo-Norman confusion of l and r (IPN 106). The permanent replacement of l by r would be somewhat unusual and the 1154 form is only derived from a 13th cent. copy of the lost Pipe Roll of 1 Hy 2. It is perhaps more probable that the name contains an r -extension of Cydda (cf. Chaddesley supra 234, and Dodderhill infra 281) and that the l form is the isolated exception. The second element is clearly OE mynster. This is probably the monastery for which Ethelbald of Mercia granted land to Cyniberht by the river Stour in 736 (BCS 154). The site is traditionally at Broadwaters (VCH iii. 458). The original name of Kidderminster before the founding of the monastery was probably æt Sture as in BCS 220. See further Introd. xxiii.