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.

Burnt Hill

Early-attested site in the Parish of Witcham

Historical Forms

  • Burnewrthehil 1215–19 ElyCh
  • Burnewrthehel c.1225 ElyM
  • Burghworth Hyll 1477 Peterhouse
  • Burnhill (ffelde) 16th CaiCh

Etymology

Burnt Hill is Burnewrthehil 1215–19ElyCh , Burnewrthehel c. 1225ElyM , Burghworth Hyll 1477Peterhouse , Burnhill (ffelde )16thCaiCh . There is no old stream here and confusion of forms probably makes any attempt at an etymology idle. OE  byrgen , 'burial place,' found in Burn Hill (PN Bk 165) is phonologically impossible here.