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.

White Colne

Major Settlement in the Parish of White Colne

Historical Forms

  • Colum (de) Miblanc 1141–63 Colne 1227 FF
  • Niblanc 1208 ib
  • Colne Miblanc 1225 Pat
  • Colummaskerel 1206 FF
  • Culn, Colum (de) Reymes 1238 SR 1255 Ass
  • Wytecolum 1272 FF
  • Whyte Colne 1285 Ass
  • Berta (ib.)
  • Berthall 1544–59 FF

Etymology

A tenant called Dimidius Blancus held one hide of land in Colne in 1086 (DB). Demiblanc is a nick-name, later contracted, first to Miblanc , then to Blanc , and then translated into English.v. VCH i, 534. Berta, daughter of William Maskerel , married William de Reymes (M ii, 216). Bert Hall is said to have taken its name from this Berta (ib.). It is Berthall 1544–59FF .

Places in the same Parish