Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Gerham 1086 DB

• Geld(e)ham ib.

• Geldham 1166 P 1178 1221 Pat 1237 Colch

• Geldham Magna 1248 Ass 1254 FF

• Geldeham 1212 RBE

• Deldam t.Ric1 France

• Chelham, Celleham 1200 Cur

• Gelham 1203 FF 1253 Ch

• Gelhamhumfrei 1254 Ass

• Gelham Unfrey 1255 Ass 1260 FF 1263 Ipm

• Gell(h)am 1288 FF 1364 Pat 1412 FA

• Gehelham 1291 Tax

• Gehelham Parva 1303 FA 1332–3 Londin

• Gilham 1243 Fees 1371 IpmR

• Galdham 1248 Ass

• Galeham 1262 Ipm

• Collam 1285 Ass

• Colham 1364 Pat

• Joldeham 1285 Ass

• Yldham 1288 FF

• Jelham 1372,1377 Fine

• Yeldham 1314 Inqaqd 1337 Ch 1341 Cl

• Nethereyeldham, Ouereyeldham 1360 FF 1436 Pat

• MocheYeldham 1494 ADv

• Nether Yeldham, Over Yeldham alias Littell Yeldham 1562 Extent

• Zeldham 1337 Cl 1340 Pat

• Heldham 1548 Pat

• Yald(e)ham 1594 N

• Yealdam 1582 Lancs

• Yealden 1713 Deed

• Humphrey (1203 M)

Etymology

This, as suggested by Professor Ekwall, is probably a compound of OE  gield , 'tax, payment,' but the exact significance of the compound cannot be determined. v. ham . Great Yeldham was formerly called Humfrei from Walter Fitz Humphrey (1203 M) and Nether because lower than Little or Over Yeldham.