Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• (æt) Moresburh c.1002 ASWills c.1100

• Moresburg 1086 DB

• Morisbur', Morisburge, Morisburgh(e) Hy3 HarlCh Ed1 CottCh 1306 Ass 1435 Portland

• Morsburgh 1448 ib

• Moresborowe 1325 Ipm

• Mouresbourgh 1345 Fine 1346 Orig

• Mosburght 1417 Fine

• Mosburgh 1454,1529 DbCh 1575 FF

• Mosbroughe 1570 ExchKR

Etymology

Apparently 'fortified place of the moor', v. mōr 1 , -es , burh ; cf. Morston Hall (Sf)Morestuna 1086 DB for a similar genitival compound and Mossbury (PN BedHu 111) for the development. It seems less likely that the first element is an OE  pers.n. *Mōr as suggested by Williamson (Notes). For the difficulties presented by this element in OE pers.ns. v. Feilitzen 328–9.