Broughton
Early-attested site in the Parish of Belbroughton
Historical Forms
- Broctun 817 BCS360 11th Heming 11th
- Brocton 1086 DB 1292 Ipm
- Bellebrocton 1292 Wigorn
- Belnebrocton 1298,1313 Wigorn 1323 Ipm
- Belvebrotton, Belnebrotton 1323 Cl 1362 Pat
- Bellibroughton, Bellebroughton 1368 Pat 1431 FA
Etymology
Broughton is clearly 'farm by the brook.' That brook, before it reaches the present village of Belbroughton, has passed through the various places called Bell which are enumerated above, and Belne is the old name for the brook, cf. Pat 1300 (Metes of Feckenham Forest), aqua q . v. Beolne . The Bruyn family came in in the 13th cent. and from them the manor was often spoken of as Brians Bell (VCH iii. 16).