Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Bercewrde, Berceuuorde 1086 DB

• Birchewurth, Byrchewurth, Bircheworth(e) 1246 FF

• Roygh Bircheworth 1299 ADvi

• Ruth Bircheworth 1365 YDi

• Routh Bircheworth 1402 FA

• Rughe Bircheworth 1547 FF

• Rughtburcheworth 1549 Hall

• Roughburcheworth 1577 WillY

• Rowgh(e) Birchworth(e) 1575 Hall 1586 FF

• Ruff Birchworth(e) 1741 Hall

• Rough Birchworth(e) 1822 Langd

Etymology

'Birch enclosure', v. birce , worð . The affix Rough - (to distinguish it from Ingbirchworth 330supra ) appears to be from OE  rūh 'rough', but the spellings R (o )uth -, Rught - rather suggest that (as with Ingbirchworth) the affix is a noun, OE  rūhet 'piece of rough ground', or an OE  *rūhð 'clearing', though generally replaced by the adj.