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.

Bearley

Major Settlement in the Parish of Bearley

Historical Forms

  • Burlei 1086 DB
  • lei(a) 12th,t.Hy2,c.1190 AD
  • Burlea 1168 P
  • Burlega 1175,1193 P 1430 BM
  • Burle Episcopi 1316 FA
  • Burgelai c.1150 ReadingA 1200
  • Burghele(i)a c.1200 ib
  • Burgele 1232 Ass
  • Buryleye 1316 FF
  • Buyrleye 1318 AD 1334 FF
  • Bureleye 1375 ADiii 1453 StratGild
  • Bereley 1493 FF
  • Byrley al. Bureley al. Bereley 1549 FF
  • Byrley al. Bureley 1545 LP 1549 Pat
  • Byrley al. Burley 1550 DeedsEnrolled
  • Bearley 1594 SR 1656 Dugdale
  • Bearlie 1638 FF
  • Beareley 1629 Sess
  • Bareley 1662 FF
  • Beerley al. Bureley al. Bireley 1640 Recov

Etymology

This is a difficult name but comparison with the forms of Burghley (PN Nth 243), Barley Ho (PN Wo 141), Burleigh (Herts), Burley (R) suggests that this is a compound of OE  burh and leah. Later the name has undergone an entirely irregular phonological development which has its parallel in Bierton (PN Bk 146), pronounced [biˑətən]. The history of that name is equally difficult. No record has been found of any association with the Bishop (of Worcester).

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site