Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Halsam 675 BCS 13th

• Halsham 1189 Chertsey 1548 LRMB

• Halesham t.Hy3 For

• Halsamesbyrichet 1343 Chertsey

• Halseham 1428 Chertsey

• Hawsham 1548 Pat 1607 Turner

• Hasom Grove 1765 R

• Hersham Corner 1789 LandC

Etymology

Hersham Fm is Halsam 675 (13th) BCS 34, Halsham 1189 Chertsey, 1548LRMB , Halesham t. Hy 3For (p), Halsamesbyrichet 1343 Chertsey, Halseham 1428 Chertsey, Hawsham 1548 Pat, 1607 Turner, Hasom Grove 1765 R, Hersham Corner 1789 L and C. The first element would seem to be the OE  heals , 'neck, col,' discussed in PN D lviii. There is a slight spur of land here between two streamlets. The second element is probably ham , though it may be hamm , as the OE charter-form is not from an original document. The modern spelling has clearly been influenced by that of Hersham supra 97. For byrichet , 'collection of birch trees,' v. infra 359.