Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Hos(se)brugg 1291 Tax

• Hosebrug(g)e 1300 Monast 1322 Ext 1547 LP

• Hosebridg(e) 1564–1602 FF

• Hostbrugge 1327 SR

• Hostybryge Hy8 Rent

• Osbridge 1586 FF

• Hosburge 1624 FF

Etymology

'Bridge by the shoots', v. brycg . The first el. is OE  hos(s) (gen.pl. hossa ) recorded in the sense 'shoot, tendril', as was its derivative hysse ; the latter is usually associated in p.ns. with words for water, and so may denote some trailing water-plant; the latter word hysse also means 'scion, son', which suggests an alternative meaning 'young plant or tree'. OE  hos may have been used in the same way; cf. Hawson Court (D 294).