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.

Beldhamland Fm

Early-attested site in the Parish of Wisborough Green

Historical Forms

  • Bedellond 1369–85 LibP
  • Beldam lands 1623 SRS14,136
  • Bedhamland 1795 GY

Etymology

The first form refers to a place in Wisborough Green, but it is not clear whether the later name is a corruption of the earlier one or not. The former would suggest lands used for the endowment or payment of some beadle or official. If the names are unconnected possibly the land had to do with the manor of Bedham supra 126. Cf. also Bedlam Wood infra 384.