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.

Bedsworth Fm

Early-attested site in the Parish of Tanworth

Historical Forms

  • Betleswrth 1199 FF 1235 Fees
  • Betleswurthe 1221,1247 Ass
  • Betlesword 1262 ib
  • Betlesworth 1695 Morden
  • Betties wich 1315 Ipm
  • Be(t)tlesworth 1330 ADiv 1401 IpmR 1656 Dugdale 1830 West
  • Betsworth 1443 MinAcct
  • Bettesworth 1526 Ct
  • le Oldebettysworth 1468 Cooper
  • Olde, Newe Bettesworthe 1543 ADv
  • Bedsworth 1855 Kelly

Etymology

The first name may be the pers. name Betel , suggested for Bittlesham (PN Sx 103) and for Betteshanger (PN K 578). See Wallenberg, loc. cit. for a full discussion of this pers. name.Hence 'Betel 's farm,' v. worþ .