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.

Caber

Early-attested site in the Parish of Staffield

Historical Forms

  • Kabergh c.1240 Weth 1608 LRMB
  • Caybryg(e) t.Hy8 AOMB
  • Kabar 1591 PR(Kirkosw)
  • Kaber 1607 ib
  • Kab(or)rough 1646,1648 ib
  • Kaburgh 1662 DandC
  • Keybergh 1696 PR(Kirkosw)

Etymology

'Jackdaw hill' (v. berg ), identical with Kaber (We), Kaberg a. 1195 Weth. ME  ka , kaa , NCy kae , 'jackdaw', must go back to ON  , not on independent record but found in the ON  nickname Kábeinn , 'with legs like a jackdaw' and NorwDial  and early Danish kaa .v. Lindkvist 184. Cf. Cawood (PN La 180, WRY).