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.

Hawkesbury Bush

Early-attested site in the Parish of Fobbing

Historical Forms

  • Hauekesbiria 1212 RBE
  • Hauekesbery 1215 Fees
  • Hauecesburi 1257 ADv
  • Hawkesbery 1450 MinAcct
  • Hawkesburybush 1678 Ogilby

Etymology

Hawkesbury Bush is Hauechesberga 1166–8, Hauekesberga 1170, Hauekisb a 1175, Auekesberga 1176 P, Hauekesbiria 1212 RBE, Hauekesbery 1215 Fees, Hauecesburi 1257 AD v, Hawkesbery 1450MinAcct , Hawkesburybush 1678 Ogilby. 'Heafoc 's hill,' or 'hawk's hill,' with early confusion of beorg and burh . “Some trees here have been a Sea-mark, called Hawkesbury-bush ” (M i, 144).