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.

Corsham

Major Settlement in the Parish of Corsham

Historical Forms

  • Coseham 1001 KCD706 14th Pat 1336
  • Cossehā 1086 DB
  • Cosseham 1130 P 1134 Cl 1424 Pat
  • Corsham 1160 P
  • Corsholm 1201 Cur
  • Cosham 1185 P 1367 Pat
  • Cossam 1196 Cur 1242 Fees 1296 Pat t.Eliz WMxxi
  • Cosham al. Coshamlond 1411 Pat
  • Corsham al. Cosham 1572 FF
  • Corsham oth. Cossum 1741 Recov

Etymology

Probably 'Cosa 's or Cossa 's ham.' Cf. Cosham (Ha)(æt ) Cosham 1015E (12th) ASC, 1204 Cur, 1212 Fees, Cos (s )eham 1086 DB, 1174 P, 1236Ass . The r is probably a later insertion, for the topography of the place makes any connection with the Celtic cors , noted under Corston supra 50 and Corsley infra 152, most unlikely.