Landbeach
Major Settlement in the Parish of Landbeach
Historical Forms
- Bece, Bech 1086 DB
- Beche 1086 InqEl
- Bech(e) 1242 Fees 1434 Pat
- Land(e)bech(e) 1218 SR 1480 CTerr
- Landbeche by Rampton 1357 Ipm
- Landbeach 1320–9 FF
- Landbeeche 1580 ADvi
- Lond(e)bech(e) 1235,1346 Cl 1383 Pat 1522 SR
- Inbeche c.1250 ElyA c.1330 ElyCouch
- Lanbech(e) 1268 Ass 1535 VE
- Lang(e)bech(e) 1272–85 Ass 1472 IpmR
- Lambech(e) 1284 FA 1547 Add
Etymology
The Bech (e ) of DB and InqEl is identified by Farrer (190) with Waterbeach and Utbech (v. Waterbeach infra 184) with Landbeach (ib. 188). Ely, however, had interests in both and in later Ely documents Inbeche is clearly distinct from Waterbeach. It must therefore represent Landbeach, whilst Utbeche must be Waterbeach.Both were originally called simply Beche , OE bece , 'stream, valley.'They were later distinguished as Land and Water Beach from their topographical situation. They were also distinguished as In - and Utbeche ; Inbeche probably represents the manorial nucleus of the estate, Utbeche its outlying portion. For confusion of land and lang cf. Landford (PN W 386–7) and Landwade infra 194.