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.

Black Fen

Early-attested site in the Parish of Bramham

Historical Forms

  • Blakefen 1160–75 YCh 14 YDi
  • Blakefensyk', bosco de Blakefen e.13 Nost83
  • Blacfen(sic), Blacfenlithae e.13 Nost159,159d

Etymology

Black Fen, Blakefen 1160–75 YCh 1032, 14 YD i, Blakefensyk ', bosco de Blakefen e. 13Nost 83, Blacfen (sic ), Blacfenlithae e. 13Nost 159, 159d. 'Black marsh', v. blæc , fenn , sīc 'stream', hlið 'slope'; v. also Black Fen Plantation 106infra .