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.

Besford

Major Settlement in the Parish of Besford

Historical Forms

  • Bettesford 972 BCS1282 c.1050
  • Beford 1086 DB
  • Bezford c.1086 EveA&B 1190 AOMB61 a.1198 Pat 15th 1231
  • Bezeford 1176,1181 P 1230 Pat
  • Bezcefort 1176 P
  • Bezfort 1212 Fees139
  • Bestfordia, Bestforde 1227 Bracton 1640 Marr
  • Besceford 1230 FF
  • Beseford 1275 SR
  • Besseford, Bisseford, Bosseford 1275 Ass
  • Besseford 1322 Cl
  • Besforde 1327 SR

Etymology

'Betti 's ford,' v. ford . Cf. Besford and Beslow (Sa) with the same pers. name.

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site