Braunston Cleves
Early-attested site in the Parish of Braunston
Historical Forms
- Falghamwode 1413 ADiv
- Braunston Cleves or Fallon Wood 1822–30 Baker
- Faleclive 1253 Ass
- Falclyve 1305 Ass 1317 Ass 1403 FF
- Falclyff 1415,1550 ADv 1638 FF
- Falclewe 1430 ADiv
- Falkelef 1457 ADiii
- Falkley Closes 1776 EnclA
- Fawcliff 1791 Bridges
Etymology
Braunston Cleves is Falghamwode 1413 AD iv, Braunston Cleves or Fallon Wood 1822–30 Baker, cf. also Fallamgrene 1431 AD iv, and the present Vellom Field next to Falkley (infra 16).This name must clearly be taken along with the lost Fawcliff, a hamlet to the north-east of Braunston 'destroyed some ages since' (Bridges i, 26) of which the early forms are Faleclive 1253Ass , Falclyve 1305Ass (p), 1317Ass , 1403FF , Falclyff 1415, 1550 AD v, 1638FF , Falclewe 1430 AD iv, Falkelef 1457 AD iii, Falkley Closes 1776EnclA and present-day, Fawcliff 1791 Bridges. The clif has clearly left its mark in the present Cleeves (cf. Cleeve Hill (Gl)). The preceding element is probably OE fealh and the compound fealh-clif would denote a ploughed hill. Cf. NEDs. v. fallow sb. In the neighbouring Falgham we seem to have a compound of fealh and hamm .