Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Bersebrigga t.Hy1 Dugdvi 1316

• Wersbrighill (sic) 13th DukRec

• Brasbrige 1541 LP

• Bracebrygge t.Hy8 MinAcct

• Brasse-brig field, Brassbrig close 1636 DukRec

• chaceas et bersas nostras 1216 ClR

Etymology

Bracebridge (6″) is Bersebrigga t. Hy 1 (1316) Dugd vi, Wersbrighill (sic)13th DukRec, Brasbrige 1541 LP, Bracebrygge t. Hy 8MinAcct , Brasse-brig field , Brassbrig close 1636 DukRec.We are in an old forest-area and we may have ME  berse , found in Feckenham Forest in the 13th century (PN Wo 389) and also in the Forest of Dean (PN Gl 20). Baddeley (loc. cit .) points out that it is found in the phrase chaceas et bersas nostras (1216 ClR) and that it doubtless denotes some kind of forest-enclosure.Du Cange (s. v. bersa ) defines it as some kind of hedge made with stakes. berse > barse > brace .