Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Brycore 1255 FF Ed2 For

• Bricore 1268 1315 FF t.Ed3 For

• Brikore 1268,1281 Ass

• boscus de Brikore 1270 For

• Brickworth 1738 Recov

• Beorchore 1007 KCD1303 c.1200

Etymology

Brickworth Ho is Brycore 1255 FF, Ed 2For , Bricore 1268Ass , FF, 1315FF , t. Ed 3For , Brikore 1268, 1281Ass , boscus de Brikore 1270For , Brecor 1523, Brecorr 1561FF , Brickworth 1738Recov .The original second element was ora, 'slope, bank,' etc., with later corruption as in Galsworthy (PN D 88). The first element might be a Celtic word related to Welsh  brig , 'top, summit' (from *brik -). Cf. Brickhill (PN Bk 30). Brickworth is on a hill-slope and Brik may have been the British name for the well- marked hill just to the north-west of 'The Pepperbox.' More probably Bryc , Bric is from earlier Birc , Byrc and the first element should be associated with OE  beorc , 'birch-tree.' Under Brigstock (PN Nth 158–9) evidence is given for such a metathesised form. If so, this name would be identical in form and possibly in site also with Beorchore 1007 (c. 1200) KCD 1303, a place described in the days of Ethelred 2 as a novum oppidum and hitherto unidentified.