Beechingstoke
Major Settlement in the Parish of Beechingstoke
Historical Forms
- Stoke 941 BCS769 14th Misc 1260 RH 1275 Ass 1281 FA 1316
- Stokes in Kanyngemershe 13th Shaston
- Bichenestoch 1086 DB
- Bicchenestok(e) 1304 Sarum
- Bychenestok(e) 1327 Banco
- Bichenstok 1327 Ass
- Bichynstok 1403 Pat
- Bychyngstoke 1431 ib
- Bechynstoke 1513 FF
- Be(c)chingstoke t.Eliz WMxxi
- Beauchamp Stoke 1819 RCH
Etymology
v. stoc , 'settlement.' Beechingstoke lies on the south-eastern edge of the great 'Cannings Marsh' supra 249–50. The later distinguishing prefix looks like the OE bicca , 'bitch' (gen. pl. biccena ), perhaps a nickname of reproach. Cf. Beechen Cliff in Bath (So), Biccheneclyve 1259 FF, Biccheneclive 1260 Bath Cartulary.