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.

Barking

Major Settlement in the Parish of Barking

Historical Forms

  • (in) Berecingum c.735 Bede c.1000 OEBede
  • Berecingas 695 BCS
  • Berekingum 1198 AC
  • Bereking, Berekyng 1228,1271 FF
  • (in) monasterio Bericinensi c.735 Bede
  • (in) Bercingum 8th Bede c.1000 OEBede
  • (to) Bercingon 692 BCS 8th
  • (on) Byrcingum c.1000 OEBede
  • (on) Beorcengum c.1000 OEBede
  • (æt) Beorcyngan c.1000 Saints
  • (æt) Byorcingan c.975 ASWills 11th
  • (into) Beorcingan c.1000 11th ib
  • Berkynge c.950 ASWills 14th
  • Bercinge c.1000 Saints
  • Berching(e) 1140–54 Ch 1383
  • Berking(e) 1193 P
  • Berkyng 1243 FF
  • Berchingas, Berchingū, Berchinges 1086 DB
  • Berchinges, Berchingis 1100–80 Ch 1383 FF 1197
  • Berkinges 1198–1234 FF
  • Berkynges 1306–18 Londin
  • Berginge(s) 1198 FF 1199 CurR
  • Barginge 1554 Recov
  • Berkigg' 1230 P
  • Berkines 1254 Ass
  • Barking 1289 Abbr
  • Berkyn 1479 Pat
  • Barkyn 1642 StiffordA
  • Barkin 1679 Shawcross

Etymology

This name, as first explained by Skeat (PN Sf 71, s. n. Barking), may denote 'dwellers among the birch-trees,' v. beorc . The word beorc is found in OE  in the various forms beorc , berc , byrc , byric .For a late mention of birch-trees in the neighbourhood cf. Thomas atte Birches of Berkyng (1368FF ).