Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Morkisburg 1202 FF

• Merkisburg 1202 FF Hy3 BM

• Merkesburc(h)' 1205 FF 1206 Cur

• Merkesburge 1280 Ass

• Merkesburgh 1379 PT

• Markesburgh 1347 YDviii,ix

• Mersburgh(e) 1363,1410,1429 YDix 1430 BM

• Mersshburgh 1369 FF

• Mershebarowe 1533 FF

• Marsburgh(e) 1420 YI 1535 VE 1606 FF 1655 Wheat

• Marsbroughe 1588,1621 FF

• Marseborowe 1555 FF

• Masburgh 1528 FF

• Masbrughe 1546 YChant

• Masbore 1557 WillY

• Masbrough 1654 WillY 1718 Wheat

• Masper 1753 Hlm

• Maisheburgh Hall 1536 HntSii,37

• Merkesburi 705 BCS112

• on Mercesburh 941 BCS767

Etymology

Masbrough would appear to be from an OE  Merces-burh and in form at least it is identical with Maesbury Camp So (Merkesburi 705 BCS 112) and Marksbury So (on Mercesburh 941 BCS 767), both of which are the names of ancient encampments; Masbrough is now a built-up area on high ground west of the R. Don, and no trace of any ancient fortification remains; but it lies between the Don and the Roman Ridgeway to Templeborough. The circumstances suggest that the three names have an identical origin and reference, and are to be derived from OE  mearces -, merces-burh 'fortification on the boundary', v. mearc , -es 2 , burh . What historical boundary is involved cannot be determined, but cf. Introd. Some spellings of Masbrough show confusion with the common word marsh , and Mas - from Mers - is a usual dial. development (cf. Phonol. § 14).