Bessingham
Major Settlement in the Parish of Bessingham
Historical Forms
- Basingeham 1086 DB 1153–68 Holme c.1170 HMC 1177,1197 P 1198 FF 1220 Cur
- Basingham 1101–7 Holme 1198,1269(p) Ass 1254 Val 1275 RH 1316 FA 1472 AD
- Basyngham 1275 RH 1302,1346,1428 FA 1333 SR 1336,1366 FF 1336,1366,1418 FF 1422,1445 AD 1428 FA 1535 VE
- Bassingham 1286 Ass
- Basengham 1401–2 FA
- Besigham 1453 Past
Etymology
Judging by the old spellings, this name is identical with Bassingham in Lincolnshire, i.e. the gen. plur. of a group-name in -ingas (Bassinga -), derived from the OE pers.n. Bas (s )a , 'the people or followers of a man called Bas (s )a ', and hām (cf. Redin 84, DEPN, Mills).