Belby
Major Settlement in the Parish of Howden
Historical Forms
- Belleby, Bellebi 959 YCh4 c.1200 DB 1086 FF 1199 BM t.Ed3
- Ballebi, Balleby 1086 DB
- Belby(e) 1285 SR 1576 NCWills
- Beleby 1316 NomVill 1333 YAJxi
Etymology
The first element would appear to be a pers. name Belle , but the ME name Belle (from ME bell ) is not on record early enough to be associated with this place-name. The OScand Beli , gen. Belja , is possible (cf. Bielby supra 232), but it leaves us with ll unexplained. An OScand by-name Belli , connected with bellinn 'bold' or with Norw dialectal bell 'bell-clapper,' or Bjalla from OScand bjalla 'bell,' may well have existed, though not on record. Though formally possible, OScand bjalli 'a round hill' (as in Bjelle , NoGN xii, 89) is unlikely on topographical grounds.'Belli 's or Bjalla 's farmstead,' v. by .