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.

Encombe, Encombe Fm

Early-attested site in the Parish of Corfe Castle

Historical Forms

  • Hen(n)ecumbe 1244 Ass
  • Henycumbe 1280 ib
  • Henna cumba 15 ShaftR
  • Enecumbe 1285 FA 1288 Ass
  • Enecomb(e) 1327 SR 1332 SR
  • Encombe 1489 Ct
  • Farme of Encombe, Encombe Hedde 1590 Mansel
  • mannor and ferme of Encombe 1599 Pitt
  • Encombe House 1811 OS

Etymology

Encombe (SY 944786), Encombe Fm, Hen (n )ecumbe 1244Ass (p), Henycumbe 1280ib , Henna cumba n.d. (15) ShaftR , Enecumbe 1285 FA, 1288Ass , Enecomb (e )1327SR , 1332 SR, Encombe 1489Ct et passim , Farme of Encombe , Encombe Hedde 1590Mansel , mannor and ferme of Encombe 1599Pitt , Encombe House 1811 OS, probably 'hens' valley', from henn (gen.pl. henna ) and cumb , with ferme and hēafod (perhaps with reference to the high spur N of Encombe); alternatively Professor Löfvenberg suggests that the first el. may be ēan (gen.pl. ēana ) 'lamb' or the OE  pers.n. Ēana , cf. Ekwall, Studies2 70–1.

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site

Other OS name

Major Settlement