Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• ye hye brigge other Wyse callyd Holme brigge 1471 GrimsCBi

• the high bridge otherwise Holme bridge c.1581 GrimsCt

• the high bryge 1500 GrimsCBi

• the hygh bryg 1541 GrimsChamb

• the highe brigge a1600 GrimsCLeet

• high bridge 1636 GrimsCBviii 1681 GrimsCLeet

• High brig 1691 GrimsChamb

• High brigg 1710 Td'E

• Highbriggs 1736 GrimsCBxi 1832 et freq

• High Briggs 1763 Td'E 1811 GrimsCBxiv

• holmbriges 1393 GrimsChamb

• le holmbriges 1409 GrimsChamb

• holme bridge 1585 GrimsChamb

Etymology

High Bridge (lost), y e hye brigge other Wyse callyd Holme brigge 1471GrimsCB i , the high bridge otherwise Holme bridge c.1581GrimsCt , the high bryge 1500GrimsCB i , the hygh bryg 1541GrimsChamb , the highe brigge a1600GrimsCLeet , high bridge 1636GrimsCB viii , 1681GrimsCLeet , High brig 1691GrimsChamb , High brigg 1710Td 'E , Highbriggs 1736GrimsCB xi et freq to 1832ib xvi , High Briggs 1763Td 'E , 1811GrimsCB xiv . cf. de Ponte de Grimmesby 1239 Cl, de Ponte 1276 RH, 1327, 1332SR , atte Brigg 1330 Cl (p), de Brygge 1399(p), 1402GrimsCt (p), v. hēah , brycg (with the majority of forms Scandinavianized). OE  hēah has the sense here of 'chief, important'. The alternative name Holme Bridge (lost) is holmbriges 1393GrimsChamb , le holmbriges 1409GrimsChamb , holme bridge 1585GrimsChamb , 'the bridge leading to Holme Hill (in Cleethorpes parish supra )', v. brycg , again in a Scandinavianized form. Gillett 1 states that Holme Bridge crossed the older branch of the haven which formed the eastern boundary of the built-up area of the borough.