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.

Bransty Road, Row and Station

Early-attested site in the Parish of Whitehaven

Historical Forms

  • Bransti c.1215 StB 1338 Cl
  • Branstibec c.1225 HolmC c.1260 StB
  • Branci, Brancy (sic) 1279 Ass
  • Brandestie 1294 Cl
  • Brantsty 1321 Ipm
  • Bransty 1334 ib
  • Branesty 1364 ib
  • Bransty Beck 1790 MapH

Etymology

Bransty Road, Row and Station preserve traces of the name of the district of Bransty (Bransti c. 1215 StB (p), 1338 Cl, Branstibec c. 1225HolmC , c. 1260 StB, Branci , Brancy (sic)1279Ass , Brandestie 1294 Cl, Brantsty 1321 Ipm, Bransty 1334 ib., Branesty 1364 ib., Bransty Beck 1790 MapH). Bransty is from OE  brant -stīg , 'steep path,' and was originally the name of the old road to Cockermouth which made its way direct along the present Bransty Road to Bransty toll-bar, before the new road was made. It ascends steeply.