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.

Birlingham

Major Settlement in the Parish of Birlingham

Historical Forms

  • Byrlingahamme 972 BCS1282 c.1050
  • Berlingeham 1086 DB 1330,1334 Pat
  • Burlingeham c.1086 EveA&B 1190 AOMB61 a.1148 Surv 15th FF c.1150 Cl 1241 1245
  • Burlingham, Birlingham 1212 Fees139 c.1320 Ch
  • Berlingham 1420 IpmR

Etymology

This seems clearly to point to a patronymic derived from an OE  pers. name Byrle , which (with Duignan) must be identified with OE  byrle , 'cupbearer.' Hence 'hammof Byrle's people.'Birlingham lies in a great bend of the Avon.

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site