Lastingham is first attested in Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People, in forms such as laestinga eu.[3][4] The ēg element was later substituted with the word hām, which, north of the River Humber, was added to place-names when they acquired monasteries (other examples being Hexham and Coldingham).Cedd ruled the monastery as the first abbot until his death, combining this position with that of missionary bishop to the East Saxons.Cedd was first buried outside the wooden monastery but, at some time between 664 and 732, a stone church was erected, and his body was translated to the right side of the altar.[10] The place where the monastery was located is now the Church of St Mary, which attracts many visitors due to its rare Norman architecture and crypt with an apsidal chancel.
Stone cross at Lastingham, part of the millennium commemorations