Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Bielege 1202 FF

• Beilheye (sic) 1332 SR

• Belegh 1423,1424 AddRoll

• Beledoune 1423 1427 Salis

• Beolyghe, Beoly(s)downe 1537 Digby

• Bewly downe, Bewly farme 1607 DCMCt

• Bewley Downe 1610 DCMCt

• Bewlye 1634 DCMCt

• Balay (Down) 1811 OS

• Beuley Down 1839 TA

• Bewley Down 1842 TAMap

Etymology

Bewley Down & Bewley Fm (ST 280063, 274057), Bielege 1202 FF (rendered Beilege from the same source by Hutch3 2 81), Beilheye (sic)1332 SR (p), Belegh 1423, 1424AddRoll , Beledoune 1423ib , 1427Salis , Beolyghe , Beoly (s )downe 1537Digby , Bewly downe , Bewly farme 1607DCMCt , Bewley Downe 1610DCMCt , Bewlye 1634DCMCt , Balay (Down )1811 OS, Beuley Down 1839TA , Bewley Down 1842TAMap , probably 'bee wood or clearing', i.e. where they often swarm, from bēo and lēah , cf. Beaulieu Wood 3241 which has the same origin. Bewley Down (still partly wooded) reaches 800′, v. dūn .