Branscombe
Major Settlement in the Parish of Branscombe
Historical Forms
- (æt) Branecescumbe 880–5 BCS553 c.1000
- (æt) brances cumbe 1050–72 Earle
- Branchescoma 1086 DB
- Branchescoumbe 1306 Ipm
- Brankescumb(e) 1219 FF 1310 Cl
- Brankyscumb(e) 1297 Pat
- Brankyscomb(e) 1428 Exon
- Brangescumbe 1238 Ass
- Brankelescombe 1328 Exon
- Brannescumbe 1342 Pat
- Braunscombe 1376 Pat 1408 FF
- Braynescombe 1466 FF
- Brawnyscombe 1525 AOMB
Etymology
'Branoc 's cumb.' Branoc is a well-evidenced old Celtic pers. name, a derivative of bran , 'crow.' It should be noted, however, that branoc is also found as a place-name. Cf. branok (BCS 472) in a Somersetshire charter.