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.

Barn Hill

Early-attested site in the Parish of Howden

Historical Forms

  • Beornhyll 959 YCh4 c.1200
  • Bernehelt, Berneheld 1086 DB
  • Bernhill, Bernhyll 1199 FF 1294 YI 1342 SR 1379 Poll
  • Barnhill 1495 FF

Etymology

Barn Hill is Beornhyll 959 (c. 1200) YCh 4, Bernehelt , Berneheld 1086 DB, Bernhill , Bernhyll 1199 FF, 1294 YI (p), 1342SR , 1379 Poll, Barnhill 1495 FF. 'Warrior hill,' from OE  beorn and hyll (cf. Barnwell, PN Nth 178), or possibly 'Beorn 's hill,' with the pers. name uninflected as in place-names such as Northallerton (PN NRY 210), etc.