Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Bakilford 1544 PND

• Battleford 1811 OS 1842 TAMap

• de Batlefford 1332 SR

Etymology

Battleford Fm (ST 305009), Bakilford 1544 PN D, Battleford 1811 OS, 1842TAMap , cf. Walter (de ) Bakelford (')1332 SR, 1340 NI, John Bakelford of Cherdestoke 1376 Pat, William Bakelford 1377HarlCh , probably 'Baccela's ford', from an OE  pers.n. *Baccela and ford , cf. Battleford PN D 513 (Bacheleford 1086 DB, Bakeleford 1242 Fees) which seems to be identical in origin. Indeed although there is a ford here (marked 6″ where a track crosses a small unnamed tributary of R. Axe), it may be the case that this is a transferred manorial name from the other place. The surname of Walter de Batlefford 1332 SR (a taxpayer in Broadwindsor par. supra ) may also belong here in spite of the unusual -t - spelling which is otherwise only a relatively late development.