Beara farm is about half a kilometre to the south-east of Hele, just off the old road from Hele to Berrynarbor. Beara, along with West Haggington and possibly Little Town, probably belonged to the Saxon Manor of West Haggington. In 1408 Beara was probably occupied by Michael atte Beare.

The origin of the place name is Old English bearu, meaning 'a grove', and is very common in Devon with over 100 examples found in early documents. Many other smaller local settlements have a descriptive name with a Saxon origin, for example Hele, Bowden, Trayne, Hole and Slew.

Beera is so-called on the OS map of 1809; Greenwoods' map of 1827; Ilfracombe Tithe Map 1839 (Transcription Beera, Owner John Huxtable, held by John Read, part in hand to John Gammon); Berra or Beara in the 1851 Census; and Beara on the first detailed OS map of 1889.

Beera was probably the home of Michael atte Beare (1408 Ass) v. Bearu (Gover et al 1932 p 48)

"The constantly recurring beer, which is found in the varying forms bera, berah, beer, bear and bere. It enters into the names of only seven parishes, Aylesbeare, Beer (E Devon), Beer Ferrers, Kentisbeare, Loxbere, Rockbeare and Shebbear; but it is found in at least eighty other instances in every part of the county. ...The word is plainly the Saxon beera, 'a grove'"  (Worth 1888 p 293)

"Bearu in the forms Beara, Beare, Beer(e), etc., is very common in Devon (as common as wudu) and one of its most characteristic place name elements. Over 100 examples are found in early documents. The same element, with similar phonological development, but in far less frequent use, is found in Somerset, Dorset and E Cornwall." (Gover et al 1932 p 675)