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.

Birchanger

Major Settlement in the Parish of Birchanger

Historical Forms

  • Bilichangrā 1086 DB
  • Byl(y)changr(e) 12th Ch(Facs) 1228 FF 1464 Ct
  • Bil(e)cha(u)ngr(e) 1200 BM 1503 Will
  • Blichangram, Becangrā 1086 DB
  • Birecengre 1123–33 OxonCh
  • Birich(e)angr(e) c.1160,12th Ch(Facs) 1200 P 1281 Ct 1322 MinAcct
  • Byrichhangre, Berichhangre 1248 Ass
  • Brichaungr(e) 1230 P 1285 Ass
  • Bireghangre 1163 OxonCh
  • Byrghangr' 1254 Ass
  • Birch(h)angre 1222 FF 1287–98 Dugdvi 1334 Londin
  • Byrch(eh)a(u)nger 1240–80 FF
  • Birchagr' 1242 ChancR
  • Bileshaungr' 1285 Ass
  • Belchangre 1288 IpmR 1374–8 Pat
  • Belchanger 14th Takeley 1589 ERxxx
  • Beelchehanger 1542 FF
  • Burghhangre 1299 Pat
  • Burchangre 1423 MinAcct
  • Berchaingre 1428 FA
  • Birchanger alias Belchanker 1536 LP
  • Bartechanger 1554 FF
  • Berchanger or Belche Anger 1594 N

Etymology

'Birch-covered wooded slope,' v. bierce , hangra and cf. byric hangra BCS 724. The name has been subject to considerable French influence. v. IPN 105–6, 108, 114.