Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Belgh 1179 Ch 1328 Welbeck Hy2 FF 1238 Ch 1291

• Bellgh alias Belgph 1590 Portland

• Belghe alias Belpghe alias Belphe 1591 FF

• Belghe 1610 Speed

• Bolh 1154–67 Ch 1316

• Belk' 1273 Darley

• Belegh 1316 Ch

• Belth(e) 1535 Val 1547 MinAcct

• Belth(e) alias Belgth 1590 Portland

• Belgthe 1584 Dep

• Belph(e) 1599 FF

• Belph(e) alias Belgh 1614 Portland

Etymology

Ekwall (DEPN) considers that this is really a stream-name identical with R. Belah or Beela (We), which he assumes is OE  *Belge 'roaring river'. This would hardly seem likely for so small a stream as that which flows through Belph. Perhaps it is rather OE  belg 'bag', used topographically of a valley with some such shape. Such a description might conceivably be considered appropriate to the valley in which Belph is situated and near the head of which is Whitwell.