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.

Balsham

Major Settlement in the Parish of Balsham

Historical Forms

  • to bellesham gemære 974 BCS1305
  • Belesham c.1050 KCD907 13th c.1060 LibEl 12th c.1050,1170 Ely 1086 1277
  • Belessham 1086 DB
  • Belsham 1221 ElyA
  • Balesham c.1060 ElyM 14th InqEl 1086 FF 1284
  • Balsham 1267 Pat
  • Ballesham 1279–82 FF 1376 Cl
  • Balseham 1285 Ass 1434 Pat
  • Balisham 1291 Pap
  • Balescham 1298 ib
  • Balsam 1476 Pembroke 1506 Pat
  • Baldesham 1272 Ass 1571 ElyA
  • Balsome 1623 Blomefield
  • Bælesham, Bælessam 1086 InqEl
  • Valesham 14th HH
  • Walsham or Balsam 1510 LP

Etymology

'Bælli 's hām.' For this personal name cf. Balsall (PN Wa 53–4).