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.

Chelsham

Major Settlement in the Parish of Chelsham

Historical Forms

  • Celesham, Chelesham 1086 DB
  • Chelesham 1176 P t.Ric1 Cur 1197 FF 1428 FA
  • Chellesham 1241 Ass 1314 Ipm 1332 Inqaqd
  • Chellisham 1293 Ipm
  • Chylesham 1294 Ass
  • Chelsham 1305 Ipm
  • Chelsam(e) 1583,1590 BM

Etymology

'Cēol 's ham(m).' Cf. Chelscombe in Weston (So), ceoles cumbe (BCS 1009), Cholsey (Berks), Ceolesig (BCS 565), Chelsfield (K), Ceresfel DB, Chelesfeld 1190 P.