Meaning of Steyne

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 invar…