Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Walibourne c.1216-30 SBL6903 1338-9 ForProc 1346 FA

• Waliburn' 1272 Cl

• Walyburn 1417 Fine

• Walyburne 1431 FA

• Walyborne 1528 SBL4001

• Walyngborne 1327 SAS2/X 1364-6 ForProc

• Walyngbourne 1342 Cl 1594 SBL6794

• Walyngborn 1438 Fine

• Walynbourne 1346 FA

• Walynborne 1364-6 ForProc

• Walliborne 1577 Saxton 1602 SBL13450

• Wallibourne 1602 SBL7075

• Wallyburne 1602 SBL6907

• Walliborn 1694 SBL9955

• Wallybourn 1712 PR(L)

• Wallingbourne 1594 SBL6794

• Walliborne alias Wallingbourne 1605 SBL6909

• Wallingebourne 1610 SBL7057

• Wallingborow 1631 PR(L)

• Wallaburne 1604 SBL7067

• Wallesbourn 1807 PR(L)

Etymology

The forms suggest OE  *Walingburna , which could be explained as 'stream associated with Walh ('Welshman')', v. burna , -ing-. Compounds of burna with personal names are rather rare, however. Walburn PN NRY 270 is 'stream of the Welshmen', but the Walleybourne forms require a connective -ing -, and this is most appropriate with a personal name.

It is probably only a coincidence that an estate here was granted to John Walensis in the early 13th cent. (SBL 6903 ). An -ing- formation would not be coined at that date, and in any case the place-name was in existence at the date of the grant. An earlier owner named Walh seems the likeliest explanation.