Whicham
Major Settlement in the Parish of Whicham
Historical Forms
- Witingham 1086 DB 1291 Tax
- Wintinghaham c.1130 StB
- Hwithingham c.1175 StB
- Whittingham 1279 Ass
- Whytingham 1292 ib
- Whityngham-in-Coupland 1332 Cl
- Quytyngham 1396 Pap
- Whetynham 1462 Netherhall
- Wytineham, Wyteneham 1279 Ass
- Wycheham 1550 FF
- Whyttyngham al. Whycham 1573 ib
- Whitcham 1552 CW(OS)viii
- Whytyam 1570 LowtherW
- Whitesham 1657 CW(OS)vi
Etymology
OE Hwītinga hām , 'the hām of Hwīta 's people.' The modern form shows that the g was palatalised, as in Whittingham (Nb, PN NbDu 214), which has the same origin, and in several other Old Northumbrian names of this type. On the historical importance of the name, v. Introduction.