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.

Birley

Early-attested site in the Parish of Brampton

Historical Forms

  • Birleiam 1154–85 Ch 1314
  • Birley(e), Byrley(e), Byrle, Byrlay c.1273 RegAnt 1291 Tax Ed1 AddCh
  • Burlee, Burley 1248 Ipm Hy3 DbCh Ed1 WollCh

Etymology

Birley, Birleiam 1154–85 (1314) Ch, Birley (e ), Byrley (e ), Byrle , Byrlay c. 1273 RegAnt (p), 1291 Tax, Ed 1AddCh (p)et passim , Burlee , Burley 1248 Ipm, Hy 3 DbCh (p), Ed 1WollCh (p). 'Byre clearing', v. bȳre , lēah , cf. Birley (Fm) supra 156 and 210.