Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Bereforde 1086 DB 1167 P

• Berkeford 1202 Ass 1243 FF 1247,1287 Ass 1318 Ipm 1409 ADi 1480 IpmR 1581 BM

• Berck(e)ford 1220 LS 1291 NI

• Bercford 1247 Ass 1250 FF

• Berkford 1269 FF 1287 Ass 1297 SR 1316,1346 FA 1355 BM 1359 ADiv 1387,1393 Cl 1390–2 CS 1428 FA 1576 Saxton

• Berford 1284 FA

• Berecforde 1346 Rams

• Barkford 1415,1509 BM 1526 LS 1554 FF 1586 D 1748 BHRSii.147

• Barford 1539 BM

• Barkford al. Barford 1549 Pat

Etymology

OE  beorca-ford , 'ford of the birch-trees,' v. beorc , ford . As the forms show, the original forms of Barford in the two Beds parishes of that name were quite different and we are not sur- prised therefore to find that the distinction of them as Great and Little Barford is of modern origin.