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.

Brisco

Early-attested site in the Parish of St Cuthbert Without

Historical Forms

  • Byrkescaud 1231 Ch
  • Byrkscawe 1231 Pipe
  • Birchawe 1253 ib
  • Bircshawe, Birscawe 1279 Ass
  • Byrchsawe ib. (p)
  • Byrskawe 1285 For
  • Birkscagh 1290 Ch
  • Byrschawe, -i- 1292 Ass 1321 Pat
  • Brikscawe 1233 Pipe
  • Brischawe 1321 Pat
  • Briscaw(e) 1332 SR 1345 GDR 1348 Cl
  • Briscagh 1352 Ass
  • magna Briscowe 1393 Ass
  • Magna Briscoo 1535 VE
  • Parva Briscoo 1535 VE
  • Litle brisco al. Netherton 1662 DandC

Etymology

'Birch copse,' bi(e)rce, sceaga. In the second element there has clearly been confusion between sceaga and skógr .