Barford St Michael
Major Settlement in the Parish of Barford St John and St Michael
Historical Forms
- Bereford 1086 DB 1278–9 RH
- Bereford Olaui 1194,9 P
- Bereford' Olaf 1220 Fees
- Bereford Chayney 1242–3 Fees
- Bereford Olof 1242–3 Fees 1278–9 RH 1305 Cl 1346 FA
- Bereford Sancti Michaelis c.1250 AD 1346 FA
- Beryford 1278–9 RH
- Bereford Olef 1284–5 FA
- Bereforde sancti Michaelis 1311 Os
- Bereforde Seynt Michael 1327 Ipm
- Bereforde Oleffe 1428 FA
- Bureford Olaui 1199 MemR
- Berford Olof 1359 Cl
Etymology
'Barley ford,' OE bere-ford. The present suffixes are from the church dedications. Barford St John is called Bereford ' Plaice from the antecedents of Hugh de Plesy , who is mentioned in connection with it 1364 Cl. Garin de Plaiz is found c. 1170 AD in connection with Barford St Michael. The latter place is called Bereford Chayney from the family of Dionisia de Cheineto , who appears ib. The suffix Olaf etc. in the forms for Barford St Michael probably preserves the name of an 11th-century tenant of Scandinavian origin. The dedication to St Olave of the church of Fritwell (211) six miles away is a curious coincidence, but probably nothing more.