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.

Bilford

Early-attested site in the Parish of North Claines

Historical Forms

  • Byltford 1275 SR
  • Bileford 1321 Pat
  • Balford 1327 SR

Etymology

The material is insufficient for any safe conclusion to be attempted, but as there is an isolated hill here, parallel to the river, it is just possible that we have an OE  bylte , 'hill,' for which v. Bouts infra 325. If so, the name means 'ford by the hill.'