Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Culterham t.Hy1,s.a.854 SD

• Holmcoltere c.1150 HolmC

• Holcoltran c.1158,c.1185 1231 P 1300 Pat 1323 Misc 1512 LP

• Insulam de 1292 Ass

• Holm(e)coltram t.Hy2 Pat 1360 SR 1332

• Holme Coltren 1512 LP

• Holmcultran s.a.1153 JohHex 1307 Ch

• Holmcultram c.1180(1307),1255,1301,1305 Ch

• Holcultram 1202 CR 1226 Pap 1227 Ch 1235 Cl

• Home Cultram 1588 NCW

• Holcultr' p.1165 NatMSSScotland

• Holcoltram' 1201 P 1279 Ass

• (insulam de) Holm' 1189 HolmC

• the Holme in the North 1531 LP

• Holmecoltrayne 1428 Pap

• Coltryne 1518 DunBev

• Colterane t.Hy8 AOMB

• the Abey hom 1599 Border

• Abbey Hollm 1622 Naworth

• Abbey Howm 1720 PR(Bridekirk)

• the Abby quarter 1605 LRMB

Etymology

The original place-name seems to have been a British name to which was added OE  hām. Ekwall (DEPN) suggests that it is identical with Welsh  culdir , 'narrow piece of land, isthmus,' from cul , 'narrow' and tir , 'land.' Cf. Coulderton infra 413. Identical no doubt is Kilter in St Keverne (Co), Kelter 1312 AD v, Keltyr 1345 Arundel, Kylter 1504–15 ECP. To the name Culterham, the ON  holmr, 'island,' was prefixed in the 12th century.