Beckham, East Beckham
Major Settlement in the Parish of Beckham, East
Historical Forms
- Betheam, Betham, Becham, Beccheham 1086 DB
- Becham 1121–45 NCReg 1198–9to1219 Fees 1202 FF 1206 Ass 1222 Bract 1248 Ch 1257,1261,1287 Ipm 1275 RH 1302,1316 FA 1317 Inqaqd 1401–2 FA
- Becheham 1176to1181 P
- Bechham 1257,1258 Ipm
- Bekeham 1190 P
- Bekham 1263 Cl 1269 Ass 1287,1321 Ipm 1346 FA
- Estbekam 1269 Ass
- Esbekham 1324 FF
- Estbekham 1343,1357 FF 1346,1467 Pat 1471 Past 1494 NoVis 1535 VE
- Estbetham (sic) 1228 Cl
- Est Becham 1275 RH
- Estbecham 1330,1333 SR 1392 Fine 1421 FF
Etymology
No doubt linguistically identical with the neighbouring West Beckham in South Erpingham Hundred. Ekwall gives the explanation 'Be (o )cca 's hām' (DEPN). The OE pers.n. Be (o )cca is well evidenced (Redin 84 f.). A metonymic byname from OE becca 'pick, mattock' may be considered (cf. Reaney s.n. Beck ).
The church, dedicated to St Helen, is mentioned in DB. After having been ruinous for a long time, it was abandoned c. 1700. Only masonry remains (EAA 51: 53).