English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

East and West Kimber

Early-attested site in the Parish of Northlew

Historical Forms

  • Chiempabera 1086 DB(Exon)
  • Chempebere
  • Kyempebiare 1311 Exon
  • Kemppebere 1242 Fees788
  • Kempeberg 1244 Ass
  • Kempebere 1276 Ipm
  • West Kempebeare 1310 Seld22
  • Kymbeare 1336 Ipm

Etymology

The first element is apparently OE  cempa , 'warrior, soldier,' but whether used as a significant word or as a late OE pers. name it is impossible to say. Cf. the common use of Kemp (e ) as a surname. v. bearu .