Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Eleham 1086 DB

• Elesham 1086 DB c.1115 LS Hy2 Gilb 1409 P 1190 RAviii c.1190 Fees 1238–43 Peace 1382

• Elseham 1242–3 Fees 1382 Cl 1504 Ipm

• Elesaham' 1242–3 Fees

• Helesham c.1115 LS 1170–75 YChiii 1202 SelectPleas

• Ellesham c.1160 Dugdvi c.1162 RAii 1169 P l12 Dane l12 Blyth l13 P 1204 FF 1208 RBE 1210–12 Fees 1212 Willsii 1529

• Ellisham c.1167 RAvi 1210–12 RBE 1242–3 Fees 1534 LPvii

• Ellysham 1428 FA 1535 LPvii

• Elleshaim c.1160 Dane

• Hellesham 1157–63 Dane 1163 RAi 1181 P l12 Dane 1208 FF 1212 Fees p1220 WellesLA

• Elsham 1247–8 RRG 1281 QW 1291 Fine 1303 Pat 1303 FA 1307 Cl 1316 FA 1316 Pat 1322 Cl 1327 SR

• Elsham alias Ellesham 1571 Pat

• Ellsham 1291 Tax

• Helsam c.1160 Dane

• Elsam 1242–3 Fees 1293 Blyth 1330 Ipm 1330 Cl 1330 Ipm 1450 LDD

• Elssam 1354 Cor

• Elsame 1539 LPxiv

• Elsom 1653 WillsPCC 1746 LNQxviii

• Ailesham 1206 Ass

• Heylesham 1267 Pat

• Helfesham 1208 FF

• Eluesham 1218 Ass

• Elnesham 1218 FF 1219 Ass

Etymology

The 13th century spellings in Ailes -, Heyles -, Helfes -, Elues - are out of line with the rest of the large collection of forms for Elsham and are presumably to be regarded as errors. Ekwall (DEPN s.n.) is, therefore, no doubt right in interpreting the name as 'Elli's homestead', v , hām, the first el. being the OE  pers.n. Elli . Initial H -, found in a number of 12th and 13th century spellings is intrusive. The isolated c.1160 form in -haim is noteworthy as a Scandinavianised spelling.