Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• ? bi talayate 944–6 BCS817(S513) 14

• butelesheite 1236 Hutch3

• Butelesheyte 1247 Glast c.1340

• Buttelyte 1268 Ass

• Butlesgate 1283 Cecil 1325 MinAcct 1327 SR 1332 SR

• Butlegate 1284 Cecil

• Butel(es)gate 1285 ib

• Buttlesgate 1324 Hutch3

• But(t)elgate (juxta Cran(e)bo(u)rn) 1332,1386 FF

• Buttelgate 1463 Cl

• Buttylgats 1535 VE

• Byddelgates 1570 PNW

Etymology

Biddlesgate Fm (SU 078144), ? bi talayate 944–6 (14) BCS 817(S 513), butelesheite 1236 Hutch3, Butelesheyte 1247 (c. 1340) Glast, Buttelyte 1268Ass (p), Butlesgate 1283Cecil (p), 1325MinAcct (p), 1327SR (p), 1332 SR (p), Butlegate 1284Cecil (p), Butel (es )gate 1285ib (p), Buttlesgate 1324 Hutch3, But (t )elgate (juxta Cran (e )bo (u )rn )1332, 1386 FF, Buttelgate 1463 Cl, Buttylgats 1535 VE, Byddelgates 1570 PN W. Probably 'But- (t)el's gate', from an OE  pers.n. But (t )el (suggested by Ekwall DEPN for Buston Nb) and geat ; it is on the county bdy where the road from Damerham Ha enters the county. It gives name to Bittlegate Copse (1902 6″) in Damerham (PNW 401). For the late change u > i before a dental, cf. Didcot Brk 517, PN Gl 470. The form bi talayate , in the bounds of Damerham Ha, probably belongs here but is corrupt, the first part of the name having been confused with the prep. bī .