Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• bælgenham 957 BCS994 13th

• Belgeham 1076–84 Crispin 1086 DB 1330 Dugdv,97

• Belghem 1154–89 Dugdvi

• Balgeham 1103,c.1190 Dugdv,86

• Balgaham, Belgaham 1107–19 Ch 1330

• Balgham 1255,1263 Ass

• Balweham 1351 Seldxl

• Balluhammed 1401 TootingCt

• Balam 1472 Pat

• Balams 1542 LP

• Balam mede t.Hy8 MinAcct

• Ballum 1680 Seller

Etymology

In any attempt to interpret this name it should be noted in the first instance that the OE  reference to the place is found in the boundaries of Battersea, where they run from ryssemere to bælgenham , and from bælgenham onwards. Since bælgenham is therefore a spot-name and not the name of any large area, it is almost certain that we cannot have here a ham-name.We must have a hamm, probably denoting a small enclosure.The nearest parallel to the name would seem to be Belluton in Stanton Drew (So), DBBelgetona , 1346 FA Belghweton , while the place called balgandun (BCS 123) in Wa may contain an allied word. Professors Bruce Dickins and Ekwall both call attention to the ME  adj. balʒ , 'rounded,' in balʒ berʒ (Sir Gawayne), found also in Balshaw (PN La 7). These point to an OE  adj. bealg which might have described the hamm , or might have given rise to a personal name Bealga . Without further evidence it is idle to speculate further as to the exact history or significance of this name.