Bow Brickhill
Major Settlement in the Parish of Bow Brickhill
Historical Forms
- Brichell(a)e 1086 DB
- Brichille 1152–8,1160–5 NLC
- Brikella 1155 NLC
- Bolle Brichulle 1198 Fines
- Bollebrikehulle 1237–40 Fees 1259 Gross
- Bule- 1221 WellsR
- Belle- 1247 Ass 1284 FA 1310 Orig
- Bolnebrykhull 1363–98 Linc
- Bolbrykhull 1394 Pat
- Bowebrykhyll 1472–80 Linc
- Bobrykehill 1526 LS
- Bolebrykehill, Bowbrikehill 1535 VE
- Boobrickhill 1542 LP
Etymology
Professor Ekwall suggests that the first element in this name is British brik , the source of the Welsh brig , 'top, summit.'The word is now used chiefly of a 'tree-top,' but there seems reason to believe that the meaning was formerly more general.Cf. Evans' Welsh Dictionary. If this is correct, the compound belongs to a type which is further illustrated in Brill and Chetwode infra .
The first element is probably the ME pers. name Bolle (OE Bolla or ON Bolli ), this Brickhill being distinguished from the others by the name of its one-time tenant. (Cf. Ab Kettleby, Lei, which probably has a similar history.)