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.

Birch Wood

Early-attested site in the Parish of Dedham

Historical Forms

  • le Byrchʒerd, Byrcherde 1432–4 Ct
  • Magottes Birchyerd, Birchet 1440,1451 Ct

Etymology

Birch Wood is probably to be identified with le Byrchʒerd , Byrcherde 1432–4Ct . The second element is OE  gierd , gyrd , 'area of land of varying extent, usually 30 acres.' Cf. Yard (PN D 48) and infra 580. In Magottes Birchyerd , Birchet 1440, 1451Ct , the name is confused with Burkitt's Lane infra .