Dear All,
While investigating the history of Lyminster near Arundel for the Sussex VCH I
have come across the intriguing surname Twainchurch (in Latin either 'de duobus
monasteriis' or 'de duabus ecclesiis') in the early 13th century. The surname
also occurs in Chichester at the same time.
Lyminster clearly seems to be an Anglo-Saxon minster site, and there was a
nunnery there post-Conquest if not also before. Domesday book names an estate
called Nonneminstre in the vicinity as well as Lyminster, each with a church.
I'm working on the theory that both estates were centred in Lyminster itself and
that the name Twainchurch has something to do with this. We might even be
dealing with a double monastery?
I wonder if anyone has any knowledge of the surname Twainchurch elsewhere, in or
out of Sussex, and particularly in a similar context. It's not in Reaney's
surname dictionary. I'd be very grateful for any light anyone could throw.
Tim
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