Berkeley

Berkeley is the transferred use of an Anglo-Scottish surname into a personal name, ultimately derived from a place name meaning “birch meadow” (originally townships in the counties of Gloucestershire and Somerset, England). The parishes take their name from the Olde English elements “be(o)rc” (birch) and “leah” (wood clearing, meadow). Written evidence of this early surname first appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086 and was rendered as “de Berchalai.” The birch tree has spiritual importance in several religions, both modern and historical, especially among the Ancient Celtic people. Given the tree’s high adaptability to most environments and its ability to withstand and survive even the harshest of elements, it was greatly revered as a symbol of tolerance, strength and stability, as well as renewal and growth. It is also known as the “goddess tree” having been associated with several ancient pagan deities such as Venus (Roman), Freya (Nordic) and Brigid (Celtic).  It is said to expel fears and build courage. The protective symbolism contained in the birch tree is evidenced by the fact that baby cradles used to be made from birch wood to protect the helpless children who slept there. Berkeley is also the name of a city in California that houses the first University of California, and a place closely associated with the counter-culture movement of the 1960s.