English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Beenham

Major Settlement in the Parish of Beenham

Historical Forms

  • Benham 1142–84 ReadingC l.12th AddCh c.1195 Ass 1284 FF 1312–13 FA 1316
  • Beneham 1242–3 Fees 1552 LRMB
  • Bienham 13th ReadingC, ReadingC(2)
  • Binham 1275–6 RH
  • Beenham Field, Beenham Farm 1761 Rocque

Etymology

The first el. is bēan 'bean'. The second is either hām or hamm , hām being perhaps more appropriate to the site of the village, which is on relatively high ground, over a mile from the River Kennett.