Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Marcham, Martham 1086 DB

• Martham 1101 Binh 1121–45,1226–36,1232 NCR 1127–34 Holme l.12 HMC 1191 P 1198 Abbrev 1198to1369 FF 1198(p)to1286 Ass 1198,1203 Cur 1223to1548 Pat 1248,1303(p) Ch 1254–75 Val 1275 RH 1322 Ipm 1401–2,1428 FA 1492 AD 1535 VE 1671 Seller

• Marthham 1260 Cl

• Marttham 1366 FF

• Mertham 1275 RH 1369

Etymology

OE  mearð 'marten' and hām or hamm . One of the DB spellings shows the common scribal confusion of c and t . Martham had a vast expanse of grazing marsh according to DB, no less than 114 acres.There is archaeological evidence of a pagan Anglian cemetery at Martham according to information in the Norfolk Sites and Monuments Records in the Castle Museum, Norwich. This suggests early settlement which may speak in favour of hām, although the first element would seem more appropriate to an original field- name. Among the finds recorded are at least three cruciform brooches, one penannular brooch, part of a shield and sherds.