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.

Binsey

Major Settlement in the Parish of Binsey

Historical Forms

  • Beneseye 1122 Frid c.1425
  • Buneseia c.1123–4,1157–8,1203–6(allc.1320) Frid
  • Buneseie 1140–1 Frid c.1425
  • Bunseye 1244 Frid c.1425 Cl 1374
  • Bunse 1374 Cl
  • Bynesey 1428 FA
  • Binsay 1480 Frid
  • Bynsey 1507–8 Os
  • Byndeshey 1517 DInc
  • Byndesey 1537 Frid
  • Thorneberg 1293 Cl
  • Thornebury nunc autem Benseia c. 1425–50 Frid
  • Thornebury lande t. Hy 8 Valor

Etymology

'Byni 's island,' v. (ī)eg. There was also a place called Thorneberg 1293 Cl, Thornebury nunc autem Benseia c. 1425–50 Frid, Thornebury lande t. Hy 8Valor . From the second reference this would appear to be an earlier, or at any rate an alternative, name for Binsey. It means 'thorn-tree hill,' v. be(o)rg, possibly referring to the round hill marked on the map to the north-east.

Places in the same Parish