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.

Bournbrook

Early-attested site in the Parish of King's Norton

Historical Forms

  • Burnebrock c.1250 NQB
  • Byrnebroc 1275 SR
  • Barnebrok, Barnbrook(s) End 1511 ADv 1574,1592 Wills 1789 Worc.CanalMap

Etymology

This must be a compound of OE  Beorna and broc (cf. Ritter 134). The modern form has clearly been influenced by association with burna , 'stream,' especially as it also forms a 'bourne' or boundary.