Bere Ferrers
Major Settlement in the Parish of Bere Ferrers
Historical Forms
- Birlanda 1086 DB
- Birlond 1318 Fine 1319 Orig
- Ber 1242 Fees796 1258–79 Exon
- Ber juxta Tauistok 1311 Ass
- Bere 1301 Ipm 1331 Cl
- Bere Ferers 1389 Cl
- Bereferres 1428 FA
- Byr 1281 Ass 1377 SR
- Byr Fer(r)ers 1306,1318 Ass 1327,1338 Pat
- Byrferers 1340 FF
- Byre Ferers 1316 FA
- Bireferers 1328 Pat
- Bire 1369 Pat
- Beyrferes 1419 FF
- Beyrferres 1426 MinAcct
Etymology
It is impossible to offer any satisfactory explanation of this name. It is clearly not the common Devon beere , beare , from OE bearu (cf. Shebbear supra 107), neither is it NCy byre , 'byre.' William de Ferers held the manor in 1242 and Sir Reginald de Ferariis was patron of the church in 1258 (Exon).