Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Brachenberg 1086 DB

• Brachenberch c.1155 Gilb 1409

• Brachenbergha c.1155 1409 ib

• Brachenberge eHy2 1409 ib

• Brachenberga Hy2 Ch 1314

• Brachingberge 1160–66 Gilb 1409

• Brakenberga 1150–60 Dane

• Brakenberge 1200 P 1202 Ass 1207 Cur 1218 Ass 1219–27 Fulstow 1303 FA 1314 Ch

• Brakenberg 1274 Alv 1288 Ipm

• Brakenberche 1166–75 Fulstow

• Brakenberch c.1200 Gilb 1409 RH 1275

• Brakenbercg lHy2 Dane

• Brakenberhe 1212 Fees

• Brakenbergh(') 1227 Cur 1278 Ch 1281 QW 1299 Pat 1306 Ipm 1428 FA

• Brakenberge 1272 Ass

• Brakynbergh 1375 Ipm

• Brakingeberewe 1272 FF

• Bracunbergh', Bracumbergh' 1242–43 Fees

• Brekenberga 1188,1190,1191,1192,1193,1194 P

• Brackenberg l12 Dane

• Brackenberge 1220 Cur

• Brackenburga c.1200 Gilb 1409

• Brakenborgh (sic) 1343 NI

• Brakynbrugh 1517 LouthCA

• Brakyngburgh 1431 FA

• Brakingburgh 1486 Ipm

• Brakenborough 1495 Ipm

• Brakenburghe 1543 LPxviii

• Brakenburthe (sic) 1550 Pat

• Brakenborowe 1565,1567,1614,1615 Harm

• Brakenbury 1571 MiscDon

• Brackenburgh 1655,1674 LindDep

• Brackenburgh otherwise Brackenborough 1700 ib

• Brackenbrough 1706 Hen

• Brackenborough 1639,1655,1671,1697 ib

Etymology

'The bracken-covered hill', v. brakni , berg , a Scand. compound.It is possible, however, that there was an OE  *bræcen, cognate to *brakni, but the distribution pattern of p.ns. in Bracken- suggests a Scand. origin for ME  braken 'bracken, fern'. Subsequent confusion with burh 'a fortified place' has taken place, hence the modern form Brakenborough. The name is represented today by Brackenborough Hall, which stands on a prominent hill.

Fellows-Jensen, SSNEM 152, draws attention to an identical name, Breckenbrough, PN YN 275, and to the Danish p.n. Bregnebjerg. Comparable also is Brackenber PN We 2165.