English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Bromfield

Major Settlement in the Parish of Bromfield

Historical Forms

  • Brounefeld c.1125 StB
  • Brumfeld c.1155 Weth c.1200 Cur 1212 S 1576
  • Brumfeud 1278 Ass
  • Brunnefeld t.Rici Ch 1308 Weth c.1200
  • Brunfeld' c.1200 HolmC 1258 Netherhall 1438 FF
  • Brunefelde
  • Brunefeld t.John BM 1210,1213 Cur 1230 Scotland
  • Bromfeld(e) c.1210 Weth 1330 Pap 1350 Ipm 1391 FF 1400 Cl 1417 FF
  • Bromfeud 1279 Ass 1303 ChancW
  • Bramfeld c.1275 StBA
  • Braumfeld 1278 Ass
  • Brounfeld(e) c.1308 StB 1349 Ipm 1399 Cl
  • Brownfeld 1494 Pat
  • Brimpfhild 1308 Ipm
  • Brundfeld 1407 Pat
  • Bromefeild 1576 S
  • Broomefielde 1578 Cocker
  • Brumefeld (c. 1182 Weth)

Etymology

It is difficult to be certain of the etymology of this name, but the probabilities are in favour of an original Brūnefeld , 'brown open land.'There was early confusion (owing partly to partial assimilation of nf to mf ) with brōm , 'broom', and even with brame , 'briar.' The confusion is well illustrated in the various spellings of the same man's name. The name of Thomas de Brumefeld (c. 1182 Weth) is also spelt Brunnefeld , Brun (e )feld , Brumfeld .