P.C.S.S.
Origin of Adur (Vol. ii., p. 71.).—A, derived from the same root as Aqua and the French Eau, is a frequent component of the names of rivers: "A-dur, A-run, A-von, A-mon," the adjunct being supposed to express the individual characteristic of the stream. A-dur would then mean the river of oaks, which its course from Horsham Forest through the Weald of Sussex, of which "oak is the weed," would sufficiently justify. It is called in ancient geography Adurnus, and is probably from the same root as the French Adour.
C.
The river Adur, which passes by Shoreham, is the same name as the Adour, a great river in the Western Pyrenees.
This coincidence seems to show that it is neither a Basque word, nor a Saxon. Whether it is a mere expansion of ydwr, the water, in Welch, I cannot pretend to say, but probably it includes it.
We have the Douro in Spain; and the Doire, or Doria, in Piedmont. Pompadour is clearly derived from the above French river, or some other of the same name.
C.B.
Meaning of Steyne (Vol. ii., P. 71.).—Steyne is no doubt stone, and may have reference to the original name of Brighthelm-stone: but what the stone or "steyne" was, I do not conjecture; but it lay or stood probably on that little flat valley now called the "Steyne." It is said that, so late as the time of Elizabeth, the town was encompassed by a high and strong stone wall; but that could have no influence on the name, which, whether derived from Bishop Brighthelm or not, is assuredly of Saxon times. There is a small town not far distant called Steyning, i.e. the meadow of the stone. In my early days, the name was invariably pronounced Brighthamstone.
C.