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.

Beechcombe

Early-attested site in the Parish of Lewtrenchard

Historical Forms

  • Biddelescumb(e) 1244 Ass
  • Bittelescumbe 1244 Ass
  • Bittelescombe 1356 Ass
  • Bitelescumb 1270 Ass
  • Biteliscombe 1330 SR
  • Bikelliscumbe 1244 Ass
  • Bitchcombe al. Biddescombe 1739 Recov

Etymology

'Bittel 's cumb.' Bittel is not on record but would be an l -derivative of the pers. name Bitta apparently found in bittan cnoll (BCS 1080). Cf. Bittleford infra 526. The modern Beech - is probably a euphemism. Cf. Beechburn (PN NbDu 16).

Places in the same Parish

Major Settlement