Bedale
Major Settlement in the Parish of Bedale
Historical Forms
- Bedale 1086 DB 1281 Abbr
- Bedhal 1256 Abbr
- Bedehale 1504 Dugdiii.603
- Bedel 1514 Sanct 1530 NCyWills
- Bidell 1564 Cai
Etymology
Probably 'Beda's nook of land' v. h(e)alh. The pers. name is OE Bēda (Redin 60). The absence of early -hale forms is probably due to the influence of ME dale with which the second element seems to have been confused, though -ale often appears for -hale in ME spellings, as in Pickhill, Strensall, Finghall, etc.