Survey of English Place-Names

Etymology

Birkett Wood (cf. William Birket de Wood 1738Rent 33), Birkhead (Birk (e )heved , Byrk (e )heved , -hede 1439 Kend ii, 45(p), 1452MinAcct (p), le Brikehed howse 1530MinAcct , Birkhead Mill 1636Dep ); Birkett Wood is named from the local Troutbeck family of Birkett , whose name appears as Byrketh , Berketh 1390–4 Kend ii, 44, Birkhe (a )d (e ), Byrkhe (a )d (e )1560, 1574 ib ii, 50, 54–5, 1568 Rich Will 225, Birket , Birkitt 1671 Kend ii, 56, 1738Rent 33, etc., and which originates in the p.n. Birkhead, 'birch hill', v. birki , hēafod . The surn. appears in other local p.ns. like Birkett Wood (i, 158supra ).