Beeleigh Abbey, Beeleigh Fms, Beeleigh Grange
Early-attested site in the Parish of St Peter Maldon
Historical Forms
- Byleg(h), Bileg(h), Bileg(e), Bile(ye) 1225 Pat 1248 Ass
- Bilygh 1347 Cl
- Bily 1404 Pat
- Belegh 1240 FF 1251 Ch 1302 FF
- Beley(e), Beley(e) juxta Maldone 1320 DeedsEnrolled 1405 Pat
- Beeleighe 1558 Ct
- Bill(eye) 1254 Ass 1269 Pat
- Beighleigh, Beyleigh 1512 Beeleigh
- Beyghley 1545 LP
- Bylegh alias Byly alias Bylyght 1604 EAvii
- Byleigh 1768 M
Etymology
Professor Ekwall suggests that this is 'bee clearing or woodland' (v. beo , leah ) with East Saxon i for eo as in Tyburn (Mx), earlier Teoburna (BCS 1351), Tyburn 1222 (WestmA ). Cf. Beoley (PN Wo 186), Beedleigh (PN D 299). For -lyght cf. Leigh supra 188–9.