Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• to Bislege 986 BCS574 16th

• Biseleg(e), Byseleg(e), Byselei(a), Bysel(e)', Byselegh(e), Byseley(e) 1086 DB 1130 P 1175 BM 1220 Fees 1221 Eyre 1236 Fees 1424 IpmR

• Bissele(g), Byssele(g), Bysseley(a) 1204 P 1209 Fees 1295 Episc 1378 Works 1598 Comm

• Bissley 1535 VE

• Bisle(y), Bysle(y), Byslegh 1211–13 Fees 1221 Ass 1243 HMCv,336 1280 Episc 1360 Ipm 1377–99 Works 1600 FF

• Bisileye 1351 BM

• Biesley 1621 FF

• Beseley 1555 FF

• Beeseleyghe 1590 ib

• Beesley 1618 ib

Etymology

'Bisa's glade or clearing', v. lēah . The OE  pers.n. Bisi , or preferably an unrecorded weak form Bisa corresponding to OG  Biso , is also found in neighbouring names, Bismore (infra ), Bussage, Bisendune and Biscombe (127, 139, 147infra ), and the same man may have given his name to all five places.