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.

Sulham

Major Settlement in the Parish of Sulham

Historical Forms

  • Soleham 1086 DB 1317,1325 Cl 1322 Fine
  • Suleham 1142–84 ReadingC l.12th RH 1275–6
  • Sulesham 1241 Ass
  • Sulham 1284 Ass c.1290 Gor 1294 SR
  • Soulham 1305 Pat, Cl
  • Solham 1333 Cl
  • Sullum, Sullam 1535 VE

Etymology

Probably a compound of sulh in the sense 'gully' and hām . The village is on a wooded slope, rising sharply from the stream which forms the west boundary of the parish.