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.

Wisborough Green

Major Settlement in the Parish of Wisborough Green

Historical Forms

  • Wisebregh 1227 Ch
  • Wyseberg(h)(e) 1227 Cl 1397 Cicestr
  • Wysberwe 1261 Ass
  • Wyseberwe 1287 FF
  • Wyseberuwe 1279 Ass
  • Wisseberge 1279 Ass
  • Wysberghe 1291 Tax 1327 SR
  • Wysbargh 1409 BM 1432 FF
  • Whishbergh 1307 Ass
  • Wyshbergh 1366 Pat
  • Wyshborrowe 1596 Ipm
  • Weseburgh 1355 Ipm
  • Wysburgh, Wysebergh, Wyseborowe, Wysbourgh 1509 LP
  • Wysebarughgrene 1517 Recov
  • Westborow Green 1614 SRS14,220

Etymology

The place is often referred to simply as Green (Grene ), as in 1520 (SAC 12, 91), and as late as Overton's map (1740). In 1604 (Recov ) it is called Wysebrough al. Grene . Mr Peckham notes that the Prebend is still called simply Wisborough .

This is probably 'hill (v. beorg ) by the wish or damp meadow (v. wisc ).' This last term is specially used of a meadow in the bend of a stream (v. Parish s. v .) and Wisborough lies on a small hill just above a winding tributary of the Arun.