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.

Bedlested

Early-attested site in the Parish of Chelsham

Historical Forms

  • Bydenested 1235 Ass
  • Budenested(e) 1241,1325 Ass
  • Bedenested(e) 1255 Ass 1278 Pat 1342 Ass
  • Betenestede 1331 Cl
  • Bednestede 1402 SACvi
  • Benstede 1568 ib
  • Beadlesteed 1650 ParlSurv
  • Bidlestead 1749 B
  • Beddlestead 1819 O.S.

Etymology

This is a compound of OE  byden , 'tub, cask,' in some topographical sense, and stede. Cf. Bidna (PN D 102). The place lies in a deep valley.