Birstum

Dutch

Etymology

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

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

Proper noun

Birstum n

A hamlet in Heerenveen, Friesland, Netherlands.

References

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