Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Lehalm(e) c.1150 Thorney t.Hy3 PeterbA

• Lohohn c.1160 NRSiv c.1250 Swaffham 1272 FF 1353 Cl

• Lehame 13th PeterbA

• la Haum(e) 1202 Ass 1221 WellsR

• Lehaume 1212 Cur 1232 Pat

• Le Haume 1257 FF

• Leiham 1229 Cl

• Leham, molendinum de Leham 1243,1285 FF 1316,1428 FA

• Lehom 13th ADi

• Lelham 1284 FA

• Leum 1289 FF

• Leholm 1306 FF 1330 Ass t.Ed3 SR

• le Holme, the Holme 1389 Cl

• Lolleham 1529 FF

• Loleham al. Leham 1551 FF

• Lolleham Myll, Mylleholme 1551 Pat

• Lolham Brydge 1552 Pat

• Lawlone al. Lowlam 1553 Pat

Etymology

Professor Ekwall suggests that this is a compound of OE  hleo, 'protection,' and helm, 'cattle-shed,' hence, 'sheltering shed.'Possibly healm , 'straw, thatch,' would suit the forms of the second element better, though the sense, 'sheltering thatch,' would be much the same. Lolham Bridge is on Ermine Street, at the point where that road, running north from Castor, crosses the Welland. Such a shelter might well be found in this position.