Besthorpe
Major Settlement in the Parish of Besthorpe
Historical Forms
- Bestorp 1147 EHRxxxv c.1155 RegAntiq 1166,1181,1182 P 1203 BM
- Besthorp(e) 1236 FF 1280,1330,1335 1332 SR
- Biesthorp 1366 Cor
- Beisthrope 1542 Wills
- Beastropp 1557 ib
- Beisthorp(e) 1578,1582 Ct
Etymology
The name would seem to be identical in origin with Besthorpe supra 183–4. There is no trace of any medial e here and only once (in 1472) in the other Besthorpe. This suggests that Ekwall's derivation (DEPN) from a personal name Besi is unlikely, for we should have expected forms Besetorp and the like. More probably we have the word *bēos , 'bent grass,' postulated for Beeston supra 139. Hence 'bent grass village,' cf. Grassthorpe supra 186.