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.

Biller Howe

Early-attested site in the Parish of Fylingdales

Historical Forms

  • Bilrod 1145–8 Whitby
  • Bilroche 1155–65 Whitby

Etymology

The second element is possibly OE  rod, 'clearing.' If so, the -roche is an error for -rothe , a Scandinavianising of rod under the influence of ON  rióðr . Dr Lindkvist suggests ON  Bili or Bil (fem.) as the first element.