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.

Besley

Early-attested site in the Parish of Chatsworth

Historical Forms

  • Besseley, Besselegh 1296,c.1300,1351 HardCh
  • Beslegh 1355 ib
  • Bestley yate 1550 ib
  • Besley Yate 1721 Clarionxxv

Etymology

Besley (lost), Besseley , Besselegh 1296, c. 1300, 1351HardCh , Beslegh 1355 ib, Bestley yate 1550 ib, Besley Yate 1721 Clarion xxv, cf. Besseleyeker c. 1240BelCh , late 13thHardCh (v. kjarr ). Perhaps 'Bessi's clearing', v. lēah ; for OScand  pers.n. Bessi cf. Bessingby and Beswick (PN ERY 100 and 159).

Places in the same Parish