English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Bexfields

Early-attested site in the Parish of Chelmsford

Historical Forms

  • Bekeswell 1334 Cl 1342 Ch 1355 Ipm
  • Bekeswell by Chelmesford 1373 Cl
  • Bekewell 1341 Ipm
  • Baxfield 1678 Ogilby
  • Bexfeild 1768 M

Etymology

Bexfields is Bekeswell 1334 Cl, 1342 Ch, 1355 Ipm, Bekeswell by Chelmesford 1373 Cl, Bekewell 1341 Ipm, Baxfield 1678 Ogilby, Bexfeild 1768 M. This may be for Becces-wielle , 'the spring of Becci .' For this pers. name cf. Betchworth (PN Sr 282).