Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Brune 1086 DB

• Brunne 1190 Dugdvi 1301

• Brunum c.1115 LS 13 Dugdiii 1327 SR

• Brunnum 1156–57 YChi Ed2 Ch R1 FF 1308 Ch 1268 Ipm 1301 1343

• Brunhum l12 Dane 1242–43 Fees c.1275 LNQvii

• Brounhum 1115 Bard 14

• Brunham 1242–43 Fees 1286,1288 Ipm 1303,1316 FA 1343 Cl 1346 FA 1350,1354 Ipm 1415 Cl 1428,1431 FA

• Bronnum 1329 Ass

• Bronhom 1332 SR

• Bornome 1398 Cl

• Burneham 1381–82 AddR 1462 Pat 1535 VEiv 1547,1550 Pat

• Burnham 1428 FA 1465 Pat

• Burnhame 1589–91 MinAcct

• Burnam 1576 BPD

Etymology

Gillian Fellows-Jensen is no doubt correct in taking this to be from the dat.pl. of ON  brunnr 'a well, a stream', hence 'at the wells, springs', topographically appropriate. For similar dat.pl. formations, cf. Coatham and Newsham in Brocklesby parish supra , in each case a similar development to -ham taking place.