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.

Bushcliff Ho

Early-attested site in the Parish of Royston

Historical Forms

  • Burresclif 13 YDvii
  • Bursclive 1258 Ch
  • Boresclive l.13 BM
  • Busclif(f) 1409 Testi 1414 YI
  • Burghescliff 1424 Rent
  • Bushcliff Wood 1841 O.S.

Etymology

Bushcliff Ho, Burresclif 13 YD vii(p), Bursclive 1258 Ch, Boresclive l. 13 BM, Busclif (f )1409 Test i, 1414 YI, Burghescliff 1424 Rent, Bushcliff Wood 1841 O.S. The identification is not altogether certain, but seems probable. There are f.ns. Burrs in the neighbouring townships of Havercroft (270supra ) and Woolley (288infra ), which are probably dial. burr 'a rabbit burrow' (v. burg ). The first el. of Bushcliff is probably the same. 'Rabbit-burrow's bank', v. clif .For reduction of -rs - to -s -, cf. Royston 284infra ; Bush - is a late analogical substitution for Bus -.

Places in the same Parish

Other OS name

Early-attested site