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.

Bedham

Early-attested site in the Parish of Fittleworth

Historical Forms

  • Budeham a.1245 BM 1261 Ass
  • Bodeham near Petteworth 1319,1325 Cl
  • Bedeham al. Bedham 1563 SRS19,32

Etymology

If, as seems probable, this place is to be associated with Budham Wood supra 122 the development of that name and the forms generally suggest that the first element is an OE  pers. name Buda rather than Byda . For the development from u to e , cf. Tillington supra 121 and Headfoldswood infra 133. Hence, 'Buda's ham(m).'

Places in the same Parish