Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• on Bægeltune, on Bældune c.1030 YCh7

• Beldun(e), Beldon(e) 1086 DB 1202–8 Ass

• Baildun, Bayldun, Bayldon(a) Ric1 Kirkst 1180–1201 YCh l.12 RegAlbii,71d 1246–66 Furn 1265 BM 1283 YI 1656 WillS

• Beildon 1182 P

• Beyldon 1251 Ass

• Beylden 1235 FF

• Bailledon 1306 Hom

• Baylledon c.1335 Calv

• Baledon 1535 VE

• Baldon 1545 LS 1574 WillY

Etymology

There can be little doubt that Baildon is a compound of OE  bēgel 'bend' and dūn 'hill', the latter referring to the great round hill, Baildon Hill. The exact meaning of bēgel is not known, nor is its reference here. ME  beyl means 'hoop, ring' (cf. NED s.v. bail sb. 2), as do MLG  bögel and Norw  bøygel . In Baylham Sf it denotes a bend in the R. Gipping, and the OE word bēag 'ring' (of which it is a derivative) also has this meaning as in Beal ii, 55supra . In Baildon (which is some distance from the R. Aire) the allusion may be to the circular shape of Baildon Hill, but more particularly to one or another of the druidical circles on the moor (cf. VCH ii, 65). It should also be noted that there are on Baildon Hill six or more stones with the so-called Cup and Ring markings and it is not impossible that bēgel has some reference to these or to Stone Circle infra . On the forms cf. Phonol. § 11.