Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Burnthale, Burnhale 1255–6 Ass

• Bungale, Bughale 1271–2 Ass

• Worch'al' 1327 SR

• Borhalle 1402 Talbot

• Burgall 1419–20 Talbot

• Burghalle 1483–5 Harl433

• Broughall 1712,18 PR(L)

Etymology

The Assize Roll forms are inconsistent and probably unreliable as regards the first element, and the 1327 form has been transcribed, probably incorrectly, with W -. The name is probably a compound of burh and halh , but as both these elements have various meanings in OE and ME usage it seems impossible to assign a precise meaning. There is no ancient fortification which could explain burh , and the ME sense 'borough' is not obviously suitable for the adjacent Whitchurch. Two of the established senses of halh might suit. The settlement is in a slight hollow, the most frequent sense, but this is an area where 'raised ground in marsh' is also possible.