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.

Kinsbourne Green

Early-attested site in the Parish of Harpenden

Historical Forms

  • Kenesberne 1201,1273etpassimto1530 WAM
  • Kennesbarne 1519 ib
  • Kenesburne 1228 FF 1303 FA
  • Kenesborne 1291 WAM
  • Kinesberne 1258–83 WDB 1272 WAM
  • Kynesberne 1280 Ass 1317,1372 WAM
  • Kynsberne 1410 FF
  • Kunesburne t.Hy3 WDB c.1260 WAM
  • Cunesberne 14th AddCh
  • Kynesbourne 1307 SR
  • Kynesburne 1308 WAM
  • Kinnesbornehall 1554 FF
  • Kinsborngrene 1557 WAM

Etymology

The persistent fluctuation between berne and burne in the ME forms makes it very unlikely that the second element is either bern or burna . More probably it is ME  burne , berne from OE  byrgen , 'burial-place.' Hence 'Cyne 's burial-place.' Cf. Burn Hill (PN Bk 165).