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.

Burgh Parva

Major Settlement in the Parish of Melton Constable with Burgh Parva

Historical Forms

  • Burg' 1254–75 Val
  • Burgh 1316,1428 FA 1330,1333 SR 1361 FF
  • Burghhalle 1319 Fine
  • Parva Burgh 1429 FF
  • Bergh iuxta Melton Constabill 1455 ib
  • P'va Burgh 1455 ib
  • Borowe 1535 VE
  • Little Burrowe als Little Burgh 1656 NfA
  • Burgh Parva c.1800 B

Etymology

OE  burh 'fortified place'. The exact reason for the name is not clear.Cf. comments on Aldborough, North Erpingham Hundred supra . The town is not mentioned in DB. The family of De Melton were ancient lords of the village (Blomefield IX371). The church, dedicated to St Mary, was abandoned c. 1665 owing to depopulation. It is in ruins except the west tower (EAA 51: 52, Pevsner 105). Melton Constable church is situated 1.5 km away.