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.

Beedon

Major Settlement in the Parish of Beedon

Historical Forms

  • Bydene 965 BCS1171 c.1200
  • Bedene 1086 DB 1517 DInc
  • Budene c.1200 ClaudiusCix 1284 Ass
  • Budeney 1316 FA
  • Budon als Bedon 1535 VE
  • Biddon 1574 Saxton
  • Beeden 1761 Rocque
  • on beden weg 948 (c. 1240) BCS 866
  • andlang byden hæma gemæres 951 (16th) BCS 892

Etymology

The place is also referred to in the phrases on beden weg 948 (c. 1240) BCS 866 and andlang byden hæma gemæres 951 (16th) BCS 892. The name is OE  byden 'vessel, tub', which was evidently used of the steep, narrow valley above which the village stands. Bidna D and Bidden Ha are identical, v. D 102.