Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• bosco de Bulog', bosco de Bilog (sic, probably for Bileg) 1258 For

• Beleye 1288 Ass

• (bosc' apud) Beleygh, Beleyhg' 1307 ForReg 15

• Belee 1317 MiltC

• Belegh(') 1332 SR 1340 NI

• Belheie 1301 Glast m14

• Belheye, boscum…apud Beleheyh(e)g' 1338–40 Glast

• (boscus in) Boelegh' e14 GlastE

• Beolye wood 1581 Weld1

• Bewly Wood 16 Shepherd2

• Bewli e17 Weld1

• (common called) Bewl(e)ywood 1648,1676 Feth

• Bewley Wood Cowleaze 1838 TA

• Bewly Wood or Beaulieu Wood 1869 Hutch3

Etymology

'Bee wood or clearing', i.e. where they often swarm, v. bēo , lēah , cf. Beoley Wo 186, Beeleigh Ess 219. Some of the 14th cent. forms suggest that the name has been interpreted as containing (ge)hæg 'enclosure', in one form with the further addition of hecg 'hedge'.