Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• to þornbyrig 896 BCS574 c.1560

• Tvrneberie 1086 DB

• Tornberia, Tornb'i(a) 1100–35 Pat 1496 P 1167,1190

• Tornbir(ia) 12 Tewk75 Hy1 Ch 1300 RBE 1166 FF 1227

• Tornburi 1220 Fees

• Tornbyre 1231 Theok

• Thorn(e)bir(i), Thorn(e)bire, Thorn(e)beri(e), Thorn(e)bur(i), Thorn(e)bury 12 Pat 1496 ClR 1214 Ass 1221 Flax 1224 PR 1674

• Torbyr' 1285 FA

• Thorbury 1535 VE 1675 Ogilby

• the Burrough 1751 PR

• the Bourough 1786 ib

Etymology

'Fortified place amongst or overgrown by thorns', v. þorn , burh .No fortification is known at Thornbury but Thornbury Castle is ½ mile north of the town.