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.

Burnhill

Early-attested site in the Parish of Stoke upon Tern

Historical Forms

  • Burhullam 1155 SAC
  • Burne 1271–2 Ass
  • Borwhull c.1291 TN
  • Burnhull 1331 Ch
  • Burnell 1696 SBL4992

Etymology

v. hyll . The forms are insufficient for a firm etymology of the first element, but byrgen 'burial place' is possible. This was suggested for Burnhill PN Bk 165 on the grounds that there is a burial mound on that hill.

The context of the early references is discussed in Part 1 77, together with those for Chesthill . The suggestion in Part 1 that Bran (t ) Hill , a TA f.n. in Eaton township, might preserve the name now seems ill-advised.Burnell 1696 is likely to be the latest reference found.