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.

Rushmore

Early-attested site in the Parish of Berwick St John

Historical Forms

  • Rossemere 1263 WIpm 1289 Ass 1292 AddCh 1310 Pat
  • Rushemere 1570 PembSurv
  • Rushmore 1618 WMxxii

Etymology

Rushmore is Rossemere 1263 WIpm, 1289Ass , 1292AddCh , 1310 Pat, Rosmere 1279, Rysshemere 1321Ass (all p), Rushemere 1570 PembSurv, Rushmore 1618 WM xxii. There can be little doubt that this is 'rush-mere.' The early forms are doubtless from rosshe , a variant ME form not hitherto noted before the 15th century.