Birstum

Dutch edit

Etymology edit

First attested as bersachon [read: bersathon] in 1315. Etymology uncertain. If the oldest attestation refers to the current settlement, a derivation from a compound of Old Frisian bêre (“barn, house”) or bêr (“manure”) and sâtha (“sod of ground”), sâth (“source, well”) or sate (“dwelling, domicile”) is possible. If the oldest attestation does not refer to the current settlement, a derivation from Birst (“a personal name”) suffixed with the collectivising suffix -ingi- is possible.

Pronunciation edit

IPA^(key): /ˈbɪr.stʏm/
Hyphenation: Bir‧stum

Proper noun edit

Birstum n

A hamlet in Heerenveen, Friesland, Netherlands.

References edit

van Berkel, Gerard, Samplonius, Kees (2018) Nederlandse plaatsnamen verklaard (in Dutch), Mijnbestseller.nl, →ISBN