Topsham
Major Settlement in the Parish of Topsham
Historical Forms
- Toppesham, æt Toppeshamme 937 BCS721
- (æt) Toppeshamme, (to) Toppes hamme, (of) toppes ha lande 12th Earle
- Topeshant 1086 DB
- Thopesham 1234 Cl
- Tapsam 1359 Ass
- Toppyshamporte 1405 Cl
- Opsham 1480–3 ECP2,308
- Appisham al. Toppisham 1588 HMCExeter
- Topsham vulg. Apsum 1675 Ogilby
Etymology
'Topp's hamm.' For this pers. name, found also in toppesoran (BCS 721) close at hand, v. Topleigh (PN Sx 99). For the loss of the initial consonant in some of the later spellings, v. s. n. æt .