Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Birk(e)sawe(s), Byrk(e)sawe(s) 1278 Ass7d,9d

• -shages, -shawes 1279 ib

• Byrscawe 1278 1279 ib

• Burchesaches 1278 Lanc

• Byrckescaw 1278 Lowth

• Berchawes 1279 Ass3d

Etymology

Birkshaw (lost), Birk (e )sawe (s ), Byrk (e )sawe (s )1278Ass 7d, 9d, -shages , -shawes 1279 ib 3d, 8d, Byrscawe 1278 ib 7d, 1279 ib 8, Burchesaches 1278 Lanc 450, Byrckescaw 1278Lowth , Berchawes 1279Ass 3d. 'Birch copse', birki (perhaps originally OE  birce), sceaga .The location is not known, but Birkie Knott (infra ) could be an adaptation of the name.