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.

Bourton

Early-attested site in the Parish of Buckingham

Historical Forms

  • Burtone 1086 DB 1152–8 NLC 1179 P 1241 Ass 1326 Fine
  • Bortone 1086 DB 1284 FA 1320 Ch
  • Burcton' 1176 P
  • Bourton 1314 Cl 1316 FA
  • Burton Blakeheg 1330 Fine
  • Boorton 1376 Cl
  • Buorton, Buerton hold 1517 Encl
  • Boreton 1535 VE 1755 BW

Etymology

v. burhtun . The burh which gave name to this place may well be the southernmost of the two built on either side of the river by Edward the Elder at the beginning of his attack on the Danelaw, in 918 according to the Chronicle , more probably in 913. If so the name means 'farm by the fort' rather than 'fortified enclosure.'

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site

Major Settlement