Bilsham
Early-attested site in the Parish of Yapton
Historical Forms
- Bilesham 1086 DB 1197 FF
- Bul(e)sham 12th Box 1713 FF
- Bullesham 1236 FF
- Bolesham 1288 Ass
- Bullsham 1608 BM
- Bel(e)sham 1242 Fees689 1288 Ass
- Bulsham al. Bilsham 1580 SRS19,77
- Bilsom 1732 SRS20,445 1823 G
Etymology
Ritter (111) suggests that this contains a lost OE name Bȳli , a derivative of the nickname type from OE bȳl (e ), 'boil.' This would explain the ME forms very well. It was certainly the case that this word was used as a name at a much later date, cf. Walter Byle in the Sussex SR for 1332.