English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

West Beckham

Major Settlement in the Parish of Beckham, West

Historical Forms

  • Becham 1086 DB 1101 BM 1203,1306 FF c.1230 HMC 1254–75 Val 1316,1401–2,1428 FA 1321 DeBanco
  • Becheham 1175to1188 P
  • Bekeham 1189to1192 P
  • Westbekham 1324,1343 FF 1535 VE
  • West Bekham 1379 BM 1381 Pat
  • Westbecham 1421 FF
  • Westbeckham 1549 Pat

Etymology

Identical with the neighbouring East Beckham (v. North Erpingham Hundred supra ). The church, dedicated to All Saints, was abandoned and demolished in 1890. The churchyard is still in use. A new church was built in the village centre 300 metres to the north-west 1890–1 (EAA 51: 53). West Beckham was formerly a part of North Erpingham Hundred (NfT 182).