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.

Balkholme

Major Settlement in the Parish of Howden

Historical Forms

  • Balcholm(e), Balkholm(e) 1199 FF t.Hy3 BM 1231 Ass 1498 FF
  • Balkeholm(e) 1240 FF 1280 Ass 1285 SR 1294 YI
  • Balterholme 1282 Abbr
  • Balcolm 1322 BM
  • Bawkeholme 1550 FF

Etymology

'Balki 's field' or 'field with a balk,' v. holmr . If the latter is correct, the balk (OE  balca ) must have been some kind of a ridge or bank which has disappeared; it can hardly have the meaning 'hill, ridge' suggested for Balk (PN NRY 189), as here the land is perfectly flat.