The name "Barugh" means 'rise of the land' which has its origins in Anglo-Saxon. The name was first recorded as Berg and Berch in 1086 and comes from Old Englishbeorg 'hill.' The pub in Great Barugh, which dates back to 1632, is the heart of the community; it is one of the oldest remaining buildings in the village. This is the only local village amenity, with Great and Little Barugh having no shops, post office or village Hall. Ruins have been found at sites in both Great and Little Barugh including those of a Roman villa. There is also evidence of a Roman road which led to York. There was a school in Great Barugh which opened in 1859; this has since been closed. Both Great and Little Barugh are mentioned in the Domesday book. Great Barugh is described as very small, with 2.1 households, and a quite large total assessed tax Little Barugh also appears in the Doomsday book. Again it is described as very small, with only 2.1 households. The total tax assessed for Little Barugh is again quite large. On 28 April 2017, the Tour de Yorkshire cycle race passed through both Barughs on the route from Malton to Kirbymisperton. The cyclists passing through Great Barugh can be seen on youtube on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bmni78I97g&t=21s
Parish
Great Barugh and Little Barugh are both contained in the parish of Kirby Misperton. Little Barugh was enclosed around 1600. Both Little and Great Barugh contain Wesleyan chapels, the one at Great Barugh having been erected in 1899. Both buildings are now dwelling houses. The church of the Holy Saviour was built in 1850 at Great Barugh to serve as the small parish. The Parish was formed when there was little difference to the people between the church and the state. The parish of Kirby Misperton was formed around the village and other small settlements.
Population history
According to census information, the population of Barugh has declined since 1881, decreasing from 261 in 1881 to 153 in 1961. The population saw slight increases in 1911 and 1931. The most recent census indicates that the current population of Barugh is 189. 2011 census data indicates that 23.3% of people are 45 to 59 years old, and 17.5% are 65 to 74 years old. The average age of a resident of Barugh is 45.
Housing, transport and climate
According to the 2011 census 51% people lived in detached houses in Barugh with house prices averaging at £349,950. Little Barugh contains fewer houses altogether, many of them being holiday cottages. Housing in Barugh is classed as semi-detached and detached. It is described as a village surrounded by sparsely populated countryside. There are currently 2 bus routes which go through both Little and Great Barugh. The nearest railway station is 7 miles away at Malton. The graph on the right shows yearly average high and low temperatures in Barugh. Compared to the rest of the United Kingdom, the average temperatures are lower in Barugh. This could be because Barugh is in the North of the UK where Temperatures are colder. Barugh is just south of the North York Moors National Park.
Industry
A Vision of Britain through time describes the industry in Barugh in 1801 as a "population divided into "chiefly employed in agriculture" or "chiefly employed in trade, manufacture or handicraft"". Agriculture has always been the main occupations for the villagers but since World War One and the rapid mechanization that followed agriculture in Barugh has declined. In the Census of 1881 it is recorded that 52 people worked in agriculture, 51 of whom were men. It is apparent many of the women in the village worked in Domestic Service or Offices. Many women were also recorded as having unspecified work. Agriculture was the biggest employer of the village in 1881. There has been a shift in industry since 1881; in the 2011 census it was recorded that only 8 people now worked in Agriculture. Reasons for this could be due to mechanization or due to population decrease in Barugh. Today in Barugh, 13 people work in Wholesale or Retail trade and 12 people work in human health and social work. This is a massive shift in industry, people will commute to get to work now and not work in the village.
