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.

Barnacle

Early-attested site in the Parish of Bulkington

Historical Forms

  • Bernhangre 1086 DB 1247 Ass
  • Bernhanger 1293 ib
  • Bernangre 1333 AD 1352 ADiv 1420 IpmR
  • Bernanger 1401 ib
  • Berhangre 1231 Cl 1247 FF
  • Beranger 1261 1262 Ass 1318 Ch
  • Bernhangel 1299,1315 Ass
  • Bernangul 1314 ADiv 1545 Ct
  • Bernangel 1316 FA
  • Oldebernangle 1411 Coventry
  • Berhangel 1305 ADii 1311 FF 1318 Pat 1337 ADv
  • Barneangyll 1412 BM
  • Barvangle 1540 Monast
  • Barwangle 1546 LP 1575 FF
  • Barnangle 1547 Monast
  • Barnacle 1547 FF 1591 PCC
  • Barvancle al. Barnacle c.1550 AOMB
  • Barnacle al. Barnagell 1653 FF
  • Barnacle al. Barwangle 1656 ib
  • Barnacle al. Barnakell al. Barnagell 1680 Recov

Etymology

The early forms with initial h for the second element are too numerous to be neglected. The second element is therefore OE  hangra rather than anger , the whole name meaning 'hill-slope marked by a bam.' “The latter part of the name signifying of old, the same that collis or mons doth; but afterwards it is otherwise written” (Dugdale 43). The change of final r to l is due to AN influence (IPN 106–7) and the present form shows a further development due to folk-etymology. The curious v , developing to w in some of the later spellings, was probably originally a clerical error. Cf. PN Sr 266s. n. Temple Fm.