Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Haverbergam 1153 Reg

• Hauerberga 1177,1178 P 1197 et freq

• Hauerberg(e) 1197,1198 P 1316 Peake 1317 Wyg

• Hauerbergh(e) 1227 Fees 1314 Peake 1491,1501 MktHPR

• Hauerbargh' 1439 ShR 1480 MktHPR 1504 et freq

• Hauerbar(o)ugh' 1465,1471 ib

• Hauerboro(u)gh' 1466 1517 ib

• Hauerborgh' 1498 ib

• Hauerborowe 1556 Braye

• Hauerburgh' 1385 Peake 1427 MktHPR 1431 Braye 1550 MktHPR

• Hauerbrugh(e) 1546 ib

• Har(e)berg(h) a.1250 MktHPR 1310 Cl 1350 LCDeeds

• Hareburgh(e) 1347 Cl 1409 Braye 1410 Fine 1520 MktHPR 1522 Wyg

• Har(e)berowe 1444 MktHPR

• Harborowe 1459 Wyg 1475,1479 MktHPR 1521 1553 Pat

• Harborough 1613 Polyolbion 1693 LML

• Herburgh 1424 Pat 1425,1450 Cl

• Herbourgh 1453 Fine

• mercati de Haverberegh 1219 ClR

• Mercat Heburgh 1312 BM

• Market(t) Harborow(e) 1616, 1627 LML

• Markett Harborough 1693 ib

Etymology

'The hill where oats are grown', v. hæfera , hafri , berg . Market Harborough came into existence in the middle of the 12th cent., until then being only an outlying part of the fields of the manor of Great Bowden infra . It is sited at a point where the main Leicester to Northampton road crosses the river Welland. Being roughly a day's journey from either town, it became an ideal place for trade. Note mercati de Haverberegh 1219 ClR (with MLat  mercatum 'market'), Mercat Heburgh 1312 BM and Market (t ) Harborow (e )1616, 1627 LML, Markett Harborough 1693 ib, v. market .