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.

Saltmarshe

Major Settlement in the Parish of Howden

Historical Forms

  • Saltemersc 1086 DB
  • Saltemareis 1194 P
  • Sautemareys, Sautemarays 1229 FF 1276 RH 1281 Pat 1291 Dunelm
  • Sautemares 1246 Ass
  • Saltmers 1282 Abbr
  • Saltmersse 1336 Deod
  • Salt(e)mersk(e) 1285 KI c.1362 Works
  • Salt(e)mersch, Salt(e)mers(s)h c.1348 Works 1581 FF
  • Salt(e)marsh(e) 1316 NomVill 1546 FF
  • Salso Marisco 1195– 1211 YCh 1117
  • Salsomaresc' 1501 FoxReg

Etymology

'Brackish marsh,' v. s(e)alt, mersc (cf. NED s.v. salt-marsh ) partly Scandinavianised and partly influenced by OFr  mareis 'marsh.' The name is also Latinised as Salso Marisco 1195– 1211 YCh 1117, Salsomaresc '1501 FoxReg. A field in the locality was called le Ssalin 1229 FF, 'salt pit' (cf. NED s.v. saline , from c. 1450). Saltmarshe is on the Ouse, which is tidal here.