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.

Bushey

Major Settlement in the Parish of Bushey

Historical Forms

  • Bissei 1086 DB 1196 P 1330 Ipm
  • Bisege 11th Gesta 14th
  • Bisshe 1199 FF
  • Bisheye 1230 Cl 1231 FF 1359 FF
  • Byssheheye 1235 FF
  • Bissehaye 1296 Ass
  • Bisshye 1330 Ipm
  • Magna Bisheye 1296 FF
  • Great Byssheie 1306 Ipm
  • Little Busseie 1313 Pat
  • Bussheye 1330 Ass 1383 Pat
  • Busheye 1397 IpmR
  • Bussheystret 1425 Ct
  • Busshe 1427 FF
  • Hertesheved 13th AD iv, 1291 Tax, 1296 Ass, 1312 FF, 1380 Pat, 1428 FA

Etymology

This is probably a compound of bysc, 'bush, thicket' and (ge)hæg, 'enclosure,' etc., perhaps with reference to an enclosure defended or protected by such. Cf. Oxhey near by. An alternative name for the parish was Hertesheved 13th AD iv, 1291 Tax, 1296Ass , 1312FF , 1380 Pat, 1428 FA, Bissheyehertesheved 1346, Bissheye Herteshede 1349FF , i.e. 'hart's head.'For the possible meaning of such a name, cf. PN Sr 403 ff.