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.

Benley Cross

Early-attested site in the Parish of Chulmleigh

Historical Forms

  • Benelegh 1242 Fees758 1285 FA
  • Bineleḡ 1249 Ass
  • Buneleg(h) 1292 Ipm 1330 SR
  • Bunaleg(h) 1333 SR
  • Bynglegh 1378 IpmR

Etymology

This is probably OE  bēona lēah , 'bee- frequented wood or clearing,' v. leah and cf. Beenleigh supra 299.