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.

Newenham Abbey

Early-attested site in the Parish of Axminster

Historical Forms

  • Nyweham, Nywenham 13th Newnham 1264 Exon
  • Newham 1276 Ch
  • Newenham 1406 BM

Etymology

'New hamm.' In DB the manor was known as Alraforda , 'alder ford.' v. alor .At some time between DB and the founding of the Abbey in 1246 the name was changed to Newenham.