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.

Oldbury upon Severn

Major Settlement in the Parish of Oldbury upon Severn

Historical Forms

  • Aldeburhe 1185 Templar
  • Aldeberi 1208 Cur
  • Aldebir' 1221 Eyre 1227,1232 FF
  • Aldebury 1325 FF
  • Oldebur' 1287 Ass 1297 Episc c.1363 Works
  • Oldeburi, Oldebury 1297 FF 1301 1533 MinAcct
  • Oldeboure 1306 Ass
  • Audebyre 1301 BM
  • Oldbury in Marisco 1337 SR 1497 AOMB 1505 Pat
  • Oldbury on Sev'n 1662 Will
  • Wolbery 1556 Will

Etymology

'The old fortification', v. ald , burh . The name probably refers to an ancient circular encampment just north of the village, rather than to a Roman encampment a mile to the south. The two encampments are on hillocks which rise out of the marshland along the Severn (whence Marisco 'in the marsh').