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.

Bursea

Early-attested site in the Parish of Holme upon Spalding Moor

Historical Forms

  • Birsay, Byrsay, Byrsey(e) 1259 Ass 1290 Ch 1416 YI
  • Bursai, Bursey 1303 KF 1316 NomVill 1567 FF

Etymology

Bursea [bɔsi] is Birsay , Byrsay , Byrsey (e )1259 Ass, 1290 Chet passim to 1416 YI, Bursai , Bursey 1303 KF, 1316 NomVill, 1567 FF.Probably 'pool near the shed,' from byre and OE  'sea, pool' (cf. Kilnsea supra 15). Bursea is in the marshy land near the river Foulness.