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.

Melmerby

Major Settlement in the Parish of Coverham

Historical Forms

  • Melmerbi 1086 DB 1202 FF
  • Melmor(e)by 1184 RichReg 1219 Ass

Etymology

This name is, as the early forms show, of different origin from Melmerby 219supra . It is 'Melmor's farmstead' from the OIr  pers. n. Maelmuire (Annals of Ulster, Four Masters) which was borrowed in OWScand  as Melmor . Cf. Revue Celtique , xliv. 49.