R.A. Coates wrote:
> In 1933 there was a shop in North Street, Brighton, called Burchope
> and Burchope. Is there any competition for the idea that this surname
> derives from Burlingjobb (Radnorshire), locally so pronounced? I can
> see that it could be for a place which was etymologically
> "Birch-hope", but I have discovered no such name. There is a little
> place called _Birchope_ near The Long Mynd in Shropshire, but I don't
> know the name's etymology, nor the history and status of the place.

The IGI has one "Burchop" (only!) in Herefordshire in the 18th century.  I 
think we need a more systematic survey of surnames derived from 
place-names - we all know surnames which are "obviously" place-names, but 
which you won't find on any map: I can throw in Muston and Shirton.

As for shops (or shopes...), one should beware the "Waitrose" phenomenon 
(olim "Waite, Rose & Taylor").

John Briggs