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.

Berrynarbor

Major Settlement in the Parish of Berrynarbor

Historical Forms

  • Hurtesberia 1086 DB
  • Hertesberie 1121 AC
  • Biri 1167 P 1261 Exon
  • Bery 1209 FF 1234 Fees400
  • Bury juxta Ilfredcumbe 1281 Ass
  • Ber(r)i Neyberd 1281 Ass 1315 Exon
  • Bery Nerberd 1288 Ass
  • Biry Nerber 1315 Ipm
  • Birinerbert 1321 FF
  • Birienherberd 1382 Cl
  • Byry in Arberd 1394 Ass
  • Bury in Erber 1492 Ipm

Etymology

v. burh . The family of Nerebert is first associated with the place in 1209 (FF). If, as is probable, the DB and 12th cent. forms refer to this place the original name was 'Heortes burh ,' 'burh of a man named Heort .' Cf. Hartland infra 71.