Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Ouercomb(e) 1327 SR 1332 SR 1406,1538 Digby

• Ouerecumbe 1349 Sher

• Overcomb(e) 1427 Salis 1617 Pitt

• Ouyrcombe 1473–1538 Digby

• Ouer Combe 1531 ib

• Over Combe 1664 HTax

• Overcoombe 1795 Boswell

• Hither Combe (sic) 1870 Hutch3

Etymology

Overcoombe (Kelly, about ST 617187), Ouercomb (e )1327SR , 1332 SR, 1406, 1538Digby , Ouerecumbe 1349Sher , Overcomb (e )1427Salis et freq to 1617Pitt , Ouyrcombe 1473–1538Digby , Ouer Combe 1531ib , Over Combe 1664 HTax, Overcoombe 1795 Boswell, Hither Combe (sic)1870 Hutch3, 'higher or upper part of the valley', from uferra and cumb , thus distinguished from Nether Coombe in Sherborne par. infra which like Overcoombe was a tithing in Sherborne in-hundred. The same valley also gives name to Coombe Fm supra . For the former St Peter's Chapel in Overcoombe, v. the f.n. Chapelhayes infra and cf. Saynt Peters lane 1531Digby ; according to Fowler 10, the ground opposite the farmhouse at Overcoombe is still known as Chapel Hill.