Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Heanburg 691–2 BCS 17th

• Heanb'u 757–75 ib

• æt Heanbyri(g) 791–6 BCS272–3 11th

• Henberie 1086 DB

• Hemb'(ia), Hembir, Hembur(y), Hembyr(y) 1167 P e.13 Asht 1268,1273 Episc 1274 RH 1535 VE

• -in Salma 1270 Episc

• -in Salt(e)mers(s)h, -Mareys 1287,1320 Ass 1415 ADiii

• -in Salso Marisco 1306 Ass 1315 Ch 1335,1470 FF

• Hambur', Hambyr', Hambury 1297 Episc 1322,1435 Pat

• Hambury in Salso marisco 1241 FF

• Hambury Saltmersh 1317 Pat

• Hemebury 1311 Orig

• Hanbury 1380 MinAcct

• Henbery 1535 VE

• Henbury 1551 FF c.1560 Surv

• Henbury Saltmarshe 1598 FF

• Hendburye 1629 FF

Etymology

'(At) the high or chief fortification', v. hēah , burh . The name may have referred to the encampment on Castle Hill (near Blaise Castle) on the end of a ridge overlooking Henbury; Castle Hill is ⅓ mile south-west of the village, which is low-lying. But burh could also denote a fortified manor-house, and Henbury, which became the centre of the Bishop of Worcester's manor and eventually gave its name to the hundred (126 supra ), may simply mean 'chief fortified place'. For the affix v. Saltmarsh (127 supra ).