Amesbury
Major Settlement in the Parish of Amesbury
Historical Forms
- (æt) Ambresbyrig c.880 BCS553 c.1000 Saints c.1000
- Amberesburg 858 BCS495 c.1150
- (æt) Ambresbirig 955 15th ib
- Ambresburch 932 14th ib
- Hambresburuh 972 14th ib
- Amblesberie, Ambresberie, Ambresberide 1086 DB
- Ambresbiria 1130 P 1384 Cl
- Amberesbur' c.1200 ADiv
- Aumbresberia 1231 Bracton
- Estambrebur' 1289 Ass
- Magna Ambresbury 1321 FF
- Ambresburi Priorisse 1332 SR
- Ammersbury 1349 Pat
- Ambersbury 1380 ib
- Greate Ambresburye 1547 SR
- Almesberie 1434 BM
- Awmesbury 1444 Pat
- Amysbury 1524 SR
- Amsburye 1614 FF
Etymology
It is impossible to go beyond the suggestion made s. nn. Ombersley (PN Wo 268) and Ambersham (PN Sx 97–8), viz. that we have to do with a personal name Ambre , Aembre cognate with the recorded OGer Ambri . Hence possibly 'Ambre 's burh.' This chances to accord with Geoffrey of Monmouth's speculation (viii, 9) 'in monte ambrii qui ut ferunt fundator eiusdem olim extiteret .' Priorisse from the nunnery here.