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.

Betchworth

Major Settlement in the Parish of Betchworth

Historical Forms

  • Becesworde, Becesuuorde 1086 DB
  • Becchesword 12th Lewes
  • Becheswurd c.1170 BM
  • Becheswrde 1199 FF
  • Becheswrthe 1210–12 RBE 1420 FF
  • Westbecheswrth 1255 Ass
  • Westbechesworth 1312 Ipm
  • Est Bechesworth 1307 Ass
  • Bacheswrthe 1212–17 RBE
  • Becheworth' 1215 ClR 1225 Ass c.1270 Winton 1302 Ch
  • Estbechewrth 1246 FF
  • Bettisworth 1448 Ch
  • East Bettesworth 1679 FF

Etymology

'Becci 's farm,' v. worþ . Cf. Bechington (PN Sx 420) and beccesham (BCS 820) in Surrey.