Ravensbury
Early-attested site in the Parish of Morden
Historical Forms
- Ravesbury c.1220 Merton 1512 AddCh 1555 FF
- Ravysbury al. Ravesbury 1488 Pat
- Rasebery 1377,1382 FF
- Rasebury(e) 1382 ADii 1570 SewersRept
- Ravenesbury 1473 FF
- Ravennysbury t.Hy8 MinAcct
- Ravisbury al. Ravensbury t.Eliz ChancP
Etymology
It looks as if this may be a late burh-name with the continental personal name Raf (Ralf , Radulfus ) as first element. If so, bury may have the later manorial sense. It is in any case clear that the later spelling Ravens - is not the original one, and must be due in part to popular etymology.