Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Behylde Hywysche, Behylde Hiwich 1303 FA

• Belhywyssh 1331 Weld1

• Belhewisch 1406 ADI

• Belhwys(s)h 1436,1443 Weld1

• Belhewys(s)h(e), Belhewissh(e) 1444 1449 MinAcct 1456 Weld1

• firma de Belhewissh(e) 1457 MinAcct 1462 1464 Weld1

• Belhuysshe 1481,1490 ib

• Belhuish c.1628 Strode 1638 Weld1

• Belhuish Farme 1686 ib

• Belehiwich 1346 FA

• Belehuyssh 1428 ib

• Belehuwys(s)h, Belehuwissh 1438–1442 Weld1

• Belehuywyssh 1443 ib

• Boyelehuysshe 1399 Cl

• Beylehuwyssh 1402 Weld1

• Beelhewyssh 1447 Weld1

• Bel(l)huse farme l17,1703 Weld1

• Bellehuse 1843 TA(EStoke)

• 'the spring of Beyeliswll' 1279 Ch

• Belewylwater 1391 Weld1

• Beilde 1332 SR

• Belde 1327 SR

• Beilde 1332 SR

Etymology

Fägersten is probably right in taking the first part of this name to be the OE  fem. pers.n. Bēaghild (for which v. Sx 563, Zachrisson ETT 74), with hīwisc 'household, measure of land that would support a family'. The same woman probably gave her name to 'the spring of Beyeliswll '1279 Ch, Belewylwater 1391Weld 1, '(the water of) Bēaghild's spring or stream', v. wella , wæter . The pers.n. Bēaghild probably occurs also as the surname of Geoffrey Beilde 1332 SR (Up Cerne), John Belde 1327SR , John Beilde 1332 SR (Ch. Okeford).