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.

Belsay Fields

Early-attested site in the Parish of Torpenhow

Historical Forms

  • Belesyse 1399 ADvi
  • Belises, Belysis 1405–6 DentonA
  • Bellasis(e) 1575 NB
  • Belusa field, Bellosa field Nook 1742 Brayton
  • Belliesa Field 1777 Hudleston

Etymology

Cf. Bellasy Tarn 1796 ib. This is clearly an example of the common OFr  belasis , 'beautiful seat,' familiar in such names as Belsize (PN Mx 112), Bellasize (PN ERY 245).

Places in the same Parish