Bramber
Major Settlement in the Parish of Bramber
Historical Forms
- Brenbria, Brenbre a.1075 SAC43,100 1150 Sele 1253 Gerv c.1270
- Brembre, Brembra a.1080 France 1438 ADiii
- Bremble 11th HMCiii,223 1234 Cl
- Bremle 1169 P 1225 Bracton 1234 Cl
- Brembele c.1218 RegGodstow
- Brembel 1301 Ipm
- Brember 1283 Pat 1402 IpmR
- Brambre 1295 Pat 1320 Ipm 1386 IpmR 1505 ADii
- Brombre 1438 ADiii
- Brembre al. Bramborowe 1486 Pat
- Brambrough 1535 VE
Etymology
This is OE brēmer , 'broom-thicket,' the place being presumably so called from some ancient thicket. The forms with l may be explained as due to confusion with the common bremel , 'bramble,' or, more probably, as examples of the common AN confusion of r and l (cf. IPN 106) which would inevitably take place in the name of a famous feudal stronghold. In early documents the Adur is called Bremre (v. supra 3), but Ekwall (RN 47) has shown good reason to believe that in this case the river-name is a very early back-formation from the name of the settlement on its banks.