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.

Lower Brear & Upper Brear

Early-attested site in the Parish of Halifax

Historical Forms

  • Brerihaye 1277 WCR
  • Brerehay 1296,1487 HAS
  • Brereay 1607 ib
  • Altam bram 1492 MinAcct
  • the Brays 1528 WillY
  • Uperbreay 1692 Rent77
  • Overbrea 1569 Arm 1589 WRC 1633 WYD 1637 FGr
  • Lowerbrea 1644 WillY
  • Nether or Lagher breare 1619 FGr
  • Upper Brear 1696 YDr
  • Upper Bryer 1709 WMB

Etymology

'Enclosure overgrown with briar', v. brēr , (ge)hæg. The contraction is noteworthy.

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site

Other OS name