Re: Isted Origins
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In reply to:
Isted Origins
Casey Isted 3/20/06
Have read Kevin’s well researched paper which draws on many original sources. I agree with conclusion there are 3 reasonable possibilities:
Scandinavian origin: Ystad Sweden as per family legend, with name meaning ‘at this place’; or Isted/Idstedt, Schleswig, with name meaning ‘a place where yew trees grow’;
Isteda, Suffolk mentioned in Domesday Book (1085) which later became Manor of Isted/Istead, with name from possible association with horses or yew trees;
From people named de Istede (alternatively spelt Ystede; phonetically the same) who lived in Mayfield, East Sussex c1285 who lived at a place since lost called Istede, meaning ‘a place where yew trees grow’.
I agree there is little to recommend suggestions Isteds derive from Highsted, Kent – ‘a lofty situation’; or Irsted, Norfolk - ‘a place of mud’.
My money’s on a farmstead somewhere in Sussex named Istede, meaning ‘a place where yew trees grow’. What do the rest of you think and why?
Ted (of a place where yew trees grow)