Beeford
Major Settlement in the Parish of Beeford
Historical Forms
- Biuuorde 1086 DB
- Beford(e) 1147–54 Bridl c.1160 Dane 1249 FF 15th Sawley
- Beford(e) in Holdernesse 1301 YI
- Biford(a), Byford(e) c.1160 Dane 12th Bridl 1155–7 YCh 1260 Rental
- Beforth(e) 1180–97,1339–49,c.1400 Melsa 1525 FF 1527 Test
- Befurth 1548 FF
- Byfort 1190 YCh1312
- Bifford' 1286 Ebor
- Befforth 1413 BodlCh
- Beyfford 1535 VE
- Beafurth 1567 FF
Etymology
'Near the ford,' v. bi , ford . For this type of name cf. Byfield (PN Nth 33), Biford (PN Gl 21) and PN NRY xliii. v. also Owthorne and Withernsea supra 28, 26. The modern pronunciation of Beeford arises from the lengthening of early ME short i in an open syllable. The 12th-century Be - spellings are from later copies.