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.

Bag Hill

Early-attested site in the Parish of Pontefract

Historical Forms

  • Baghil 1159–70,c.1170–83 YCh1528 1588 Pont 13 Pont
  • Baghull 1368 MinAcct
  • Baghill 1384 1424 Rent 1473 YDxii,302 1541 MinAcct
  • Baggahil c.1210 Pont c.1219 YDi
  • Baggehil 1222 Pont
  • Bagehill 1559 FF

Etymology

Bag Hill, Baghil 1159–70, c. 1170–83 YCh 1528, 1588 (Pont), 13 Pont, Baghull 1368MinAcct 26, Baghill 1384 ib 507, 1424 Rent, 1473 YD xii, 302, 1541MinAcct 84, Baggahil c. 1210 Pont, c. 1219 YD i(p), Baggehil 1222 Pont, Bagehill 1559 FF. The origin of Bag - in this and other p.ns. like Bag Hill ii, 177, Bagley i, 53supra is not certain, but would appear to be an OE  bagga 'bag', either as a topographical word 'bag-like hill' or as the name of some animal, possibly 'badger' (the problem is discussed in EPN i, 17 s.n.). v. hyll .