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.

Burbeach Hundred

Hundred in the County of Sussex

Historical Forms

  • Burbeca 1086 DB
  • Burbeche 1255 FF
  • Burchebeche, Burgbeche 1279 Ass
  • Burgh(e)beche 1296 SR 1316 FA 1332 SR
  • Borghbeche 1361 IpmR
  • Bulebech 1161 P
  • Borebrigge 1248 Ass
  • Bourbech 1262 Ass
  • Burghberge 1369 IpmR

Etymology

Nothing is known as to the site of the meeting-place of the hundred and the meaning of its name is obscure. The first element is burh and the second is presumably bec , the plural of boc . If so, the name may mean 'beeches by some ancient burh or earthwork.' bece , 'valley' is also possible, v. Seabeach supra 68.

Parishes in this Hundred