burrhead

1) A by-name, probably comparing a person's hair to a prickly flower-head, perhaps the burdock.

Examples of this word as a by-name have been noted in several parts of Yorkshire from the late thirteenth century, probably as nicknames: 1292 John Burreheved, Barmston

1308 William Burreheved, Rastrick

1335 John Burheved, Sawdon. It is most unlikely that these men were linked genealogically since the examples occur in all three Ridings so the inference is that the phrase was in general use.

dates 1292 1308 1335

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