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.

Pymore

Early-attested site in the Parish of Little Downham

Historical Forms

  • Be(e)leffen 1449 Ct
  • Belfen al. Pymoor 1497 ib
  • Byemoor 1786 Lot

Etymology

Pymore is Be (e )leffen 1449Ct , Belfen al. Pymoor 1497 ib., Byemoor 1786 Lot. Perhaps 'insect-infested marsh,' from OE  pēo , pīe , or possibly 'magpie,' and mōr . Cf. Pymore (PN Do 255). The earlier name is from the neighbouring Beild Drove infra .