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.

Hamsey

Major Settlement in the Parish of Hamsey

Historical Forms

  • æt Hamme wiþ Læwe 961 BCS1064
  • Hamme juxta Læwes 961 BCS1065 13th
  • Hame 1086 DB
  • Hamme 1222 FF
  • Hamme juxta Lewes 1309 FF
  • Hammes c.1155 Lewes 1439 IpmR
  • Hammes Say 1306 Ass 1321 Ipm
  • Hammessay 1342 Ass
  • Hammyssay 1465 Pens
  • Hampsey, Hamshay, Haunshay 1509–11 LP
  • Hamsay al. Hammes 1510 BM

Etymology

v. hamm . There is a wide bend, of the Ouse here. The pl. form is fairly persistent. The family of Say or de Say are first mentioned in connexion with the manor in 1222 (FF). Hamsey is, as it were, Ham Say .