1) South out of Leadenhall Street at No.38 to Fenchurch Street (P.O. Directory). In Aldgate Ward.
First mention: "Billiter Lane or Street" (Elmes, 1831).
Earlier names : "Belzeterslane," 1298 (Ct. H.W. I. 134). "Belleyetteres lane," 1306-7 (ib. 180). "Belleyetereslane," 1306-7 (ib. 184). "Belyeterslane," 1306-7 (34 Ed. I. Anc. Deeds, A. 2026). "Belieterslane," 12 Ed. II. (ib. A. 1993). "Belhetereslane," 1322 (Ct. H.W. I. 299). "Bellezeterestret," 1349 (ib. 587). "Belleyeterslane," 1470 (ib. II. 543). "Bylleter lane," 1526 (Lond. I. p.m. III. 319). "Billeter lane," 1540 (L. and P. H. VIII. XVI. p. 55). "Billitar lane " (S. 140). "Billiter lane" (Ryther's map, 1608).
Consisted of old timber houses in Strype's time which wanted pulling down and new building, occupied by small shop-keepers. These old houses still stood on the west side of the street in 1775, but on the eastern side the houses had been pulled down to widen the street, and having been rebuilt were occupied by the East India Company's warehouses and other modern buildings (Maitland, 1775, II. 778).
Derivation of name : Stow says it was so called of the first builder and owner thereof "Belzettars lane." But he gives no authority for the statement.
Skeat suggests that it was Bell-zeter's Lane, the lane where the bell-founders lived, and this seems probable enough.
"Bellezeter" = a bell-founder ("Promt. Parv." and in Halliwell, s.v.).
Wm. Burford is described as a "belyeter" in Ct. H.W. Wills, 1390 (II. 301).
2) See Billet Court.