Bentley Wood
Early-attested site in the Parish of West Dean
Historical Forms
- Bentelleswod' t.Hy2 Ch 1270
- Bentleswuda 1178 BM
- Bentleswode 1270 For
- Bentelwoda t.Hy2 Ch 1270
- Bentelwode 1255 RH t.Hy3 Stowe 1279,1289 Ass t.Ed2 For
- Bentelewde t.John Dugdii
- Bentlewude 1227 FF
- Bentlewod(e) 1227 StNicholas 1257,1279 For
- Bentewud' 1224 ClR
- Benetleg 1227 Ch
Etymology
This name goes back to an OE beonet and leah, 'clearing where bent grass grew,' to which wudu was early added. Hence 'wood by a place called Bentley ,' with occasional genitival form in the first element.