It absolutely does mean something. Just probably not what you had in mind. :) In English toponymy "bury" refers to a fortified settlement, and "ness" is a prom

It absolutely does mean something. Just probably not what you had in mind. :) In English toponymy "bury" refers to a fortified settlement, and "ness" is a promontory or headland. Sure enough, Shoeburyness is a town on raised ground by the mouth of the Thames estuary, and has had some sort of fortification or another on that site since Roman times.