Thornby
Major Settlement in the Parish of Thornby
Historical Forms
- Torneberie 1086 DB
- Thirnebi c.1160 ADB8540
- Thirneby 1236,1242 Fees 1379 Cl
- Thyrneby 1261 Ass 1316 FA
- Turnebi, Turnybi 1175 P 1242 Fees
- Thurnebi t.Ric1 BM 1361 Cl
- Turlebi 12th Survey
- Thurleby 1226 WellsR
- Thurnebye al. Thornbye 1582 Recov
- Thornby 1633 Ipm
- Thurnby al. Thynby 1648 Recov
- Thurnby 1791 Bridges
Etymology
If we lay stress on the first form of this somewhat difficult name, we might take it to be an exact parallel to Thombury (Gl, He), þornbyrig in BCS 574 and 1317, denoting a burh by a thorn-tree, or possibly a burh of which a thorn-hedge formed part of the defences. In view, however, of the great preponderance of i and u forms from the 12th to the 14th century, we should probably be right in following Professor Ekwall's suggestion that the first element is really OE þyrne , 'thorn-bush,' hence 'by by the thorn-bush,' and take the DB form as showing o for normal u . The 15th and 16th century forms at times show confusion, such as might readily arise, with the more common thorn . For the somewhat rare development of OE y to u in this county, we may compare the history of Thurning infra 221 and the field-name Thurnewong in Sibbertoft (14thNthStJ ).