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.

Beulah Hill

Early-attested site in the Parish of Croydon

Historical Forms

  • Beulestret 1359 Cl
  • Bewley 1481 Survey
  • Beawley, Bewley 1493 ib
  • Beaulieu Hill 1823 Br
  • Bulay Hill 1823 G
  • Beulah Spa 1836 Wyld

Etymology

Beulah Hill (with Beaulieu (6″)) is Beulestret 1359 Cl, Bewle 1456, Bewdly , Bewdley c. 1630 Steinman, Bewley 1481Survey , Beawley , Bewley 1493 ib., Beaulieu Hill 1823 Br, Bulay Hill 1823 G, Beulah Spa 1836 Wyld. The forms are late, but it may be that the name is identical with Bewdley (PN Wo 40), and is a name of post-Conquest origin, from OFr  be (a )u l (i )eu , 'beautiful spot.'