Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Netelcome 1086 DB

• Netelcoma Exon

• Netelcum' 1205 RC

• Netelcumb(e) 1212 Fees 1285 FA 1291 Tax 1303 FA

• Netelcomb(e) 1332 SR 1359 Fine 1391 Pat

• Netlecumb(e) 1205 ClR 1206 P 1218 FF 1268 Ass

• Netlecombe 1637 SxAS 1653 ParlSurv

• Nettlecumb 1206 PatR

• Nettlecom(b)e 1299–1300 Hutch3 1318 Ch

• Nettlecumbe 1244 Ass

• Netylcombe 1421 ADI

Etymology

Nettlecombe (SY 518956), Netelcome 1086 DB, Netelcoma Exon, Netelcum '1205 RC, Netelcumb (e )1212 Fees, 1285 FA, 1291 Tax, 1303 FA, Netelcomb (e )1332 SR, 1359 Fine, 1391 Pat, Netlecumb (e )1205 ClR, 1206 P, 1218 FF, 1268Ass , Netlecombe 1637SxAS , 1653ParlSurv , Nettlecumb 1206 PatR, Nettlecom (b )e 1299–1300 Hutch3, 1318 Ch, Nettlecumbe 1244Ass , Netylcombe 1421 AD I, 'valley where nettles grow', from netel and cumb . On the significance of this and other names containing OE  netel , v. Ann Cole, JEPN 35 (2003) 49 ff. Like other netel -names, this may have been a stopping place for travellers and animals on an ancient route (Cochrane 151), hence the build-up of phosphates in the soil favoured by nettles: 'the springs around Nettlecombe would have been a welcome source of water after the 10–mile haul over the dry downland from Dorchester and a good place to halt' (Cole op. cit. 54).