Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Beagan byrig 721–43 BCS166 11th ib

• Began byrg 899 ib

• Begeberie, Begeberia 1086 DB 1186–9 Oseney

• Begaberia 1151,1173 1320 Ch

• Becheberie 1086 DB

• Behebiria 1221 Plea

• Bibur', Bybur' 1154–89 Tewk73b 1274 RH 1291 Tax 1303 FA

• Bybyr, Bybir 1271 Episc 1287 Ass

• Bybery 1287 1349 Ipm 1535 VE

• Byburi, Bybury 1291 Tax 1316 FA 1319 FF 1610 M

• Bybury Northumberland, Bybury Osney 1600 FF

• Beibir', Beybir', Beybur(y), Beyburia 1163,1173 Oseney 1209 Fees 1254 Pat 1255 Ch 1269 Episc 1303 FA

• Beyeburi 1285 FA

• Biebir' 1221 Ass

• Byebury 1349 Aid

• Bebiry, Bebur(y) 1248 FF 1275 Episc 1281 Heref 1284 Episc

Etymology

'Bēage's fortified place', v. burh . The place was doubtless named from Bēage , the daughter of Earl Leppa, to whom the land was granted by the Bishop of Worcester in the 8th century (BCS 166).Her name may also be preserved in the local f.n. Bywell (infra ). The affix Northumberland refers to a grant of land here to the Duke of Northumberland in 1550 and Osney to the land of Osney Abbey (Oseney v, 1–21).