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.

Roachburn

Early-attested site in the Parish of Farlam

Historical Forms

  • Rocheborn' 1292 Ass
  • Rochebourn 1363 Ipm
  • Rochburne 1399 IpmR
  • Rocheburn 1485 Ipm
  • Roachburne 1777 PR(Laner)
  • Rotheburne 1295 Ipm
  • ælbroc 1031 KCD744
  • ad ælrithe 680 BCS

Etymology

The first element in this name is presumably the fish-name, ME  roche (first recorded in NED from 1314), from OFr. 'Roach stream,' v. burna . Similar formations are Fishbourne (PN Sx 70), Whaplode ('eel pout stream') (L), ælbroc (on R. Meavy, D) 1031 KCD 744, ad ælrithe (Pagham, Sx) 680 BCS 50.