ISTED and Variant Place Names
by Bruce Isted (Feb 2007)
Introduction: As I am doing a one-name study on ISTED and variants, it not only means that I am interested in surnames (although in a genealogical sense, that is the main reason to research) but I am also interested in place names bearing the word “Isted” or similar. In a historical sense, a place name has sometimes been named after a person bearing that name who has settled there for a period of time or a person or family have taken the name from the place where they lived or originated.
I have grouped this file into three sections:
1 “Isted” or similar place names (excluding H spelling);
2 “Histed” or similar place names (excluding I spelling):
3 Other miscellaneous place names (excluding H & I spelling):
This file does not claim to be complete. If any reader knows of other places/signs anywhere in the world that incorporates the Isted &/or variant name, then I (& others) would be interested to hear about it; especially if you have a photo of it.
Many sources/references in this file are in listed [square brackets].
Any text in italics font indicates a quote from a reference.
Some photos were taken by myself and some taken by other people/contacts (mostly between 1988-2006).
1 “Isted” or similar place names (excluding H form):
i) The earliest mention or record of the name in the “I” form in
‘In Isteda 1 free man, over whom Bishop Aethelma had the commendation, with 10½ acres and the fourth part of a mill. 1 bordar. Then half a plough, now 2 oxen. It is worth 2s. William MALET held this; afterwards Robert his son (held it), thinking it belonged to his father’s fief.’
[Domesday Book – Vol 35
The Domesday Book indicates that at the time of the survey 1085/6, this land was retained in ‘the King’s hand’ (William I – the Conqueror). No surname of “de ISTED(E)” or “YSTED(E)”were listed. It is possible that the place “Isteda” could have had some connection to the ISTED surname (see ISTED Origins paper by Kevin Isted on this website).
ii) In my research (mainly in the A2A Archives website) I have come across the place names: Isted/Istead/Instead Manor Hall in Weybread, county of
a) [
item: Feoffment (chirograph) - date:
‘(1) to (2), messuage and watermill in Isted [Istead in Weybread] called Fyngesmyll alias Fryersmyll; piece of aldercarr (5a.) on N. and E. of said mill; piece of meadow (2a.) on W. of said mill, abutting W. on meadow of Prior of Holy Trinity, Gipp' [Ipswich] called Sarlysfen; 2 pieces of meadow and marsh (2a.) on either side of way leading from said mill to Nedeham [Needham] Strete; piece of meadow (1a.) lying between river bank there on N. and common way leading from Shotfordbrigge to Hoxon [Hoxne] on S., abutting E. on said river bank; piece of marsh (1a.) late in tenure of John Bardell, abutting E. on marsh late of Earl of Suffolk now in tenure of Richard Bukenham and W. on marsh of J.B.; and croft (3a.) lying before gate of said messuage; all of which were lately granted to John Corbo' of Brokedyssh, John Corbo' of Ocle [Oakley] and Richard Braunch of Brokdyssh by charter indented dated 12 Sept. 11 Hen.VII. (1495); to hold to (2) and heirs forever, paying £3 10s. annual rent in equal portions at feasts of Annunciation and St Michael, and 1 suit of court annually at Isted in town of
“Isted/Istead” was possibly a hamlet in Weybread; also see 2 i) reference to “Histede” in 13th century.
b) [
item: John Adams, Istead Hall Farm, Weybread – [Catalogue Ref. HA12/D8/8/11 - date:
item: John, Samuel, Robert and William Adams, Istead Hall, Weybread – [Catalogue Ref. HA12/D8/8/12 date:
c) [Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives: Cholmondeley (Houghton) Papers – Catalogue Ref. Ch(H)/3 – 4 – date 1316-1866] Working Papers of the Estate Office Court Roll. File (no title) date: 1386-8, 1399, 1408-12, 1422-34, 1463-71, 1474-6, 1501-3, 1556, 1557, 1613. ‘ Weybread and Isted’.
d) Documents 1871-1908 in PRO [MAF 9/289] + [Book on Suffolk Manors by Copinger 1905 page 102] - states ‘Manor of Finges in Istead in Weybread,
e) [Book on Suffolk Manors by Copinger 1905 – pages 99-102] states - ‘Manor of I(n)stead in Weybread,
iii) There are references in the
All these places seem to be in or near Duddesland (with various spellings) in Mayfield, apart from the first reference to “Istedes Broke” (presumably Istede’s Brook). Whether any of these places existed c1285 it is not known but possibly they may have been the place from which the family got its name? (see website links: “Possible Origins of the Isted Family Name” and The Search for the Istede Property c1285 – the cradle of Isteds”).
Briefly some of these references are:
a) [ Archive of Gage family of Firle, Catalogue Ref. SAS/G12/8, re Bolney lands in Firle, Bentley farm in Framfield and other lands. File - Licence to alienate (letters patent) - date:
‘A Messuage with adjoining garden (N: Istedes Broke; E: road from Blackboys to Browninges Broke on the east (9a of middle assert) in Framfield in the ward of Bernett, quitrent 18d.’
b) [Archive of Drake and Lee of Lewes, solicitor, Catalogue Ref. SAS-D/205; File - Deed of Covenant – date:
c) [Archive of Drake and Lee of Lewes, solicitor; Catalogue Ref. SAS-D/205. File - Deed of Covenant - date:
‘Also the following new freehold lands (theretofore assert lands) and heretofore called Isteds Reede, Middle Reede, Pett Reeds alias Pikereede and Gilhawe containing 24 ac.: All the beforementioned premises being then called the Deane, Westfield, the Tenne acres, the orchard field, Bentley feild, Norrisfield, the Istede, the Longcroft, the Great meadow alias Conyberry field and the Kitchenfeild, containing 143 ac. all in Mayfeild at or near Duddesland, to lands of Thos. Relf, E., Thos. Westgate, N. John Tyherst, N.W., the Common called Pounslye wood, W. and S., the Common called Waldron down, S., the highway from Duddesland to Blackboyes, E. and S.E.’
d) [Archive of the Baker and Kirby Families of
‘All commonly called The Dean, Westfield, Ten Acres, Broomyfield, Marlings Wood, Three Acres, Four acres, Orchard Field, Bently Field, Norris Field, Isteds, Long Croft, Great Meadow otherwise Coneyberry Field and Kitching Field, in all 143a, at Duddesland in Mayfield….’
e) [Archive of Drake and Lee of Lewes, Solicitors; Catalogue Ref. SAS-DD/271. File - Agreement - date:
‘Several pieces of new freehold land theretofore assert land and theretofore called Isted Reed, Middle Reed, Pet Reed als Pike Reed and Gilhawe, containing 24 acres, the said lands then being called Deans; the Westfield, the Ten-acres, the Broomfield, the Marlings Wood, the Three-acres, the Four-acres, the Orchard Fd., the Bentley Fd., the Morris Fd., the Isteds, the Long Croft, the Great Meadow, als the Coneyberry Fd. and the Kitchen Fd. containing in the whole 143 acres lying at Dudsland in Mayfield…’
f) [The Wiston Archives; Catalogue Ref. WINSTON/3052; re Title deeds, settlements, wills and manorial documents
‘Manor and farm (320a.) of Possingworth in Waldron and Framfield; parcels of land (20a.) called the Bell Reed in Waldron and Mayfield; woods or woodlands (160a.) in Waldron; farms called Aylwyns alias Allens and Priors (232a.) and Merryhams alias Merriams alias the Hole Farm (212a.) in Mayfield and Waldron; lands (40a.) called Trendle Fields, Eglons alias Agletts alias Arletts and Kidneys alias Kidneys Fields in Mayfield; marsh lands called Curryers Marsh alias the Great Curry Marshes (44a.) and Reyland Marsh (40a.) in Manxey Level, all in Pevensey; messuage under the hill at Dudsland, kitchen, two barns, 'Weynehouse', close or yard, garden, orchard and land (8a.) belonging, lands and tenements being the yard of Isted, and parcels of land (24a.) called Isteds Reed, Middle Reed, Pett alias Pike Reed and Gilham, all at Duslandd in Mayfield; lands called Wakelin alias Wakeline (3a.) and the Pight (1a.), and woodlands called Coney Borough alias Upper Wood (10a.), the Middle Wood (20a.) and the Almshouse alias Lower Wood (20a.) all in Mayfield; farm called Scokers with malthouse, barns, outhouse, gardens, orchards and lands (95a.) called Great and Little Scokers, the House Croft, Wheat Croft, Broomfields, Rycroft, Claycroft, Wellcroft and Westcroft, all in Mayfield; lands called Siggons alias Bestbridge and other lands [unnamed] (31a.) all in Mayfield; tenement with cottages, barns, stables, buildings and lands (311a.) called Herrings, Brownings and Brookers in Mayfield and Waldron; parcel of freehold land (16a.) in Waldron, late of the manor of Laughton; [most properties are described with abuttals and further details are given generally.’
iv) Istead in county of
v) “Istead Rise” in
This is a place (small village) is next to the town of
i) William ISTED born 1838 Northfleet, married 1861 Bexley to Margaret DUGGAN, had family in the Woolwich area.
ii) Charles ISTED born 1841 Northfleet, married 1862
[1982 Memoirs of an ISTED descendant; Kent Archives; Correspondence with Gravesham Borough Council; & personal research data]
vi) Late Isteds in
This place name is recorded in the 1851 Census of Hooe, county of Sussex, England [HO107/1638 folio 174] It was probably named after an ISTED family that lived there (possibly one that has a link to ISTEDs of Ashburnham).
vii) Idstedt in
The place named “Idstedt” is situated 5 miles north of
What makes this place famous is that there was a great battle fought here between the Danes and the Prussians/Germans. It was known as The Bloody
_a.jpg)
Also of interest is that there is a large monument (known as the “Isted Lion” or in Danish “Istedløven”) that commemorates the Danish triumph over the Prussians at the Battle of Isted in 1850. In the past three hundred years this was one of the country’s few military victories. Originally it was installed in Flensborg in 1863, but the Isted Lion has been relocated several times during its long history as borders between and ideological positions in
[books, articles, references on the internet such as : http://www.milhist.dk/trearskrigen/isted/isted.html +
contact with the Schleswig-Holstein and Danish Archives]
viii) 1 & 1½ sted(e) pews in
In the town of Jork, Lower Saxony in Germany there is a medieval church (St Matthias) where on the end of each row of pews were written the names of original people who had been allocated these seats. On most of them is written what looks to be the name “Isted” & “Istede”. But in fact it is “1sted” & “1stede” – indicating one place or this place. And what is rather interesting is that at the rear of the church there is a pew named “1½ stede”. So while it is not a place or surname as such, I still list it here because of its curiosity factor!
ix)
These place names (a street & a park) are situated in Hamilton Hill a large suburb in the coastal city of
[Cockburn: The Making of a Community by Michael Berson, 1986] This book has several references to Alfred ISTED and also includes a photo of his shop in 1920 and a photo of his daughter Cecilia ISTED with other children at
2 “Histed” or similar place names (excluding I spelling):
i) [
‘(1) to (2) in free and pure alms, tenement which Maurice, son of William the miller held of (1) in Histede (sic), and service for said tenement, viz. 12d. annually (6d. at Easter and feast of St Michael), 8 days' work in August without food and 3 hens at Christmas; and homage of Maurice and all his family; free of all secular demand except King's scutage of 7½d. in 20s. and ½d. castleguard. Warranty clause. Witnesses: Werreys de Cham', Norman de Peshall, William de Falesham, William de Blancheuill, Matthew de Stradebrook, John his son, Robert Jurdi, Ranulf Cemencar.’ Probably “Isted/I(n)stead” in Weybread,
ii) Old Histeds Road, +
Both places probably named after a HISTED family that was settled there since early 1800s; there were formerly from
iii) Highste(a)d(e):
a) [East Sussex Record Office: Archive of the Stapley, Wood and Davidson families of Hickstead Place , Twineham. File - Copy surrender. ref. HIC/35 - date:
b) [East Sussex Record Office: Archive of the Stapley, Wood and Davidson families of Hickstead Place , Twineham. File - Copy surrender and admission. ref. HIC/37 - date:
c) [
d) [
iv) [
‘Petition of John Robson of Gillalees, and Henry Robson of Highstead Ash, both p. Lanercost, now debtors in the Gaol - poor relief. Have been "Considerable dealers", but are now reduced by "Misfortunes and many losses", and cannot follow their trade from within the gaol. Ordered 1s.0d. a week each.’ Just another use of the name Highstead in another form and possibly no association with the surname.
v) [Norfolk Record Office: Records of H C Boardman, Architects, c1860 – 1966. File - Thorpe “Highstead" - ref. BR 35/2/59/7 - date: 1924, 1953] ‘147 Yarmouth Rd. alterations 1953 (5 plans); with chauffeurs cottage at “Highstead” for J. De Carle Smith 1924 (3 plans).’ Just another use of the name Highstead in another form and possibly no association with the surname.
vi) There are two places in
a) “Highstead” is mentioned in 2 different extracts -
‘Highstead forms an interesting settlement. Highstead Farm contains on its west side a two story wing of two bays with a crown post. This was clearly a cross wing, probably added to an earlier house at the end of the fifteenth century. The main section of the house was rebuilt with a large brick chimney, some time in the seventh century. Except for the north end of the crossing, the house is now encased in brick, with a front in grey brick dating from the very end of the eighteenth century. The cellar, scullery, some fireplaces and the south windows at the west end of the main front, date from about 1850.’ (from article on The Houses of Chislet – part 2 by Kenneth Gravett.)
‘Clearly before Hoath there were earlier settlements nearer the shore of the Wantsum: Highstead, the most important, was overrun by the Romans and later abandoned, but before that there was one perhaps on the waters edge close to the salt pans.’ (from article on Hoath & Herne by Robert Paine.) [both i) & ii) articles were extracted from the b ook Hoath & Herne – The Last of the Forest by by K H McIntosh & H E Gough, 1984, ISBN 0 9502423 7 3]
The house in the photo above (ie has a small van in front of it) is Highsted Farm House and although it does not look very old (early to mid-Victorian), the shape of the roof suggest that the original building on this site could have been late Medieval or early Tudor, and that what we see now is a rebuilding or re-cladding of a much older original building.
b) [
‘
The above must surely be the place/parish of Highsted in Sittingbourne,
vii) Highsted Road & Highsted Reserve in
These place names (a Street & a Reserve/Park) are situated in the Bishopdale a suburb of
C) Other miscellaneous place names (excluding H & I spelling):
1 Ystad in
The place named “Ystad” was formerly referred to in earlier centuries (pre-1600) by the names: Eysted, Ystedh, Istaedhe – these names simply meant “in the place” or “at the place”. It was a large maritime town in the Southern Province of Schonen (Skåne) in the
