Caterham
Major Settlement in the Parish of Caterham
Historical Forms
- Catheham 1179,1180,1181 P
- Catenham 1198 Abbr 1207 Cur 1235 Ass
- Katenham 1213 FF
- Katerham 1200 Cur
- Caturham 1372 SR
- Katrehamme 1263 FF
- Katreham c.1270 Winton
- Catereham 1279 Ass
- Catterham 1552 SACiv 1625,1672,1698 FF 1664 SR 1710 Recov
Etymology
The first element in this name would seem to be identical with that of Catterall (PN La 162), Catrehale DB, Caterhale 1212, 1301, Katirhal 1244, Cater (h )ale 1258, 1332, and Catterlen (Cu), Katerlen 1201 P, Katirlen , Caterlyn 1278, Katrelenn 1295 Ipm, Catrelen , Caterlen 1333 SR. At least in the Cu name we probably have a word corresponding to W cader , Ir cathair , 'fort, hill-fort,' the second element being W llyn , Cornish, Breton lenn , 'pool.' In Caterham the reference might be to the old camp at War Coppice supra 310, not far distant, though compounds of ham with a pre-English word or place-name are rare. For a further trace of the first element v. Caterfield Bridge infra 333.