Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Sourebi 1185 P 1565 FF

• castelli de 1186 P

• Castelsoureby 1305 Ipm 1308 Greenfieldiv

• Soureby Kyrkeby 1367 ib

• Sowreby 1225 Pat

• Sourby 1279 Ass

• Saurebi 1190,1191,1197 P

• Saureby 1215 ClR

• Kyrkesaurebi 1191 P

• Sauresby 1279 Ass

• Kirkesoresbi 1202 P

• Souresby 1257 Pat 1278 Ass 1306 Cole

• Kierkesorebi 1203 P

• Soreby 1238 Pat 1460 Fine

• Scoureby, Shoureby 1242 Ch

• Sawrby al. Sowerby 1437 IpmR

• Surby 1504 ECP

• Sowerby, or Castle Sowerby 1777 NB

• la Corner de Not de Chastelsoureby 1263 Cl (p)

• Souerebylit 1215 ClR

• Sowerbye Church Stille 1569 PR (Greystoke)

Etymology

Also in this parish were la Corner de Not de Chastelsoureby 1263 Cl (p), Souerebylit 1215 ClR (v. hlið) and Sowerbye Church Stille 1569 PR (Greystoke).

A common name in Scandinavian England, corresponding to OIcel Saurbær , ONorw Saurby , literally 'mud' or 'dirt farm,' v. bȳ . Lindkvist (162) notes that, according to Landnámabók, Steinolf built a farm in Iceland and called it Saurbær , “because the land there was very marshy.”

Sowerby is a large parish without any definite nucleus. Neither its original centre nor the site of its castle has yet been identified.