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.

Burgess Hill

Early-attested site in the Parish of Clayton

Historical Forms

  • Burges hill, Burgesthill t.Eliz Rowe
  • Burges Hill al. Hachers 1597 SAC47,157

Etymology

This is a modern settlement which has grown up since the opening of the Brighton railway in 1846. The name appears as Burges hill , Burgesthill t. Eliz (Rowe), Burges Hill al. Hachers 1597 SAC 47, 157, and is probably to be associated with the family of John Burgeys who was taxed under Clayton in the Subsidy Rolls for 1296, 1327 and 1332.