Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• maner'…de Bere (et More) 1454 HarlCh

• de la Bere 1285 FA 1316 1332 SR 1339 AddCh

• Berry Wood 1838 TA

• boscus voc' Berewood 16 Glyn

Etymology

Bere (lost), maner '…de Bere (et More )1454HarlCh , no doubt the home of Richard de la Bere 1285 FA, 1316 ib, AD , 1332 SR, 1339AddCh (who held lands in Thorton infra and in the adjacent par. of Todber supra ), cf. also Agnes de la Bere 1327SR , 1332 SR, probably from bǣr 2 '(woodland) pasture', cf. Bere Marsh 2239. More is Moor Court infra , so the place was probably near here or Thorton Fm in the E of the present par. In fact a more precise location is possible if the name is to be identified with the first el. of the f.n. Berry Wood 1838TA (boscus voc ' Berewood 16Glyn , spelling slightly uncertain), which is SW of Thorton Fm at ST 800175.