Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Minbiry c.1090 Footman,HistoryofLambourneChurch 14th

• Minberie c.1150,1175 HMCVari

• Minbir' 1233 Cl

• Mynburi juxta Remmesburi 1300 FF

• Mimbyre 1196 SarumCh

• Mimbir' 1233 Cl

• Mimbyry 1268 Pat

• Mimbur' 1275 RH

• Mymbur' 1249 Cl 1255 RH

• Mymbere 1296 FF

• Mymbury 1323,1340 1406 Pat 1428 FA

• Mymbery walles c.1570 Wilton

• Mimmebir' 1263 Cl

• Membir' 1289 Ass

• Membury 1323 Inqaqd

• Myndeane 1553 AddCh

Etymology

The second element is burh, with reference to the large 'camp' here. The first element is difficult. If, as seems likely, the spellings with n are the original ones, with later assimilation of nb to mb , the first element might be the British word corresponding to Welsh , Cornish min , 'edge, brink, border,' etc., found in a few Cornish place-names. The camp is on the western edge of a high plateau with a fairly deep valley just below. A further trace of the first element may be found in Myndeane (1553AddCh ) in Ramsbury.