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.

Bedwell and Bedwell Plash

Early-attested site in the Parish of Stevenage

Historical Forms

  • Budewelle 13th Wymondley t.Hy3 WDB
  • Bedewell 1307 SR
  • Bedewellefeld 1360 Ct
  • Bedwell Plashes 1676 S
  • Bedwellbrok 15th Add
  • Bydwelfeld 1572 Ct
  • Bedewellecroft 13th Colch
  • Bedewellefeld 1374 Add

Etymology

Bedwell (6″) and Bedwell Plash are Budewelle 13thWymondley , t. Hy 3WDB , Bedewell 1307SR (p), Bedewellefeld 1360Ct , Bedwell Plashes 1676 S. The first element is the OE  byde , 'hollow, depression,' discussed in PN Nth 222, s. n. Bidwell and PN Ess 35, s. n. Bedlars Green. Note also Bedwellbrok (15thAdd ) in Hitchin, Bydwelfeld (1572Ct ) in St Stephens, Bedewellecroft (13th Colch) in Barkway and Bedewellefeld (1374Add ) in Amwell.