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.

Wrecclesham

Early-attested site in the Parish of Farnham

Historical Forms

  • Wrecclesham 1225 Ass
  • Wreklesham 1235 Ass
  • Wreclesham 1231,1235,1288 Rental 1332 SR
  • Wrekelesham 1255 Ass 1270 Ass
  • Wreckelesham 1301 Rental
  • Werclesham 1257,1455 Rental
  • Werklesham 1299 ib
  • Worklesham 1344 SR
  • Whreaclesham t.Eliz ChancP
  • Raclesam 1675 Ogilby

Etymology

Wrecclesham is Wrecclesham 1225Ass , Wreklesham 1235Ass (p), Wreclesham 1231, 1235, 1288Rental , 1332 SR, Wrekelesham 1255Ass (p), 1270Ass , Wreckelesham 1301Rental , Werclesham 1257, 1455Rental , Werklesham 1299 ib., Worklesham 1344SR , Whreaclesham t. Eliz ChancP, Raclesam 1675 Ogilby. There is an OE  word wrecel , found in the obscure compound sporwrecel , denoting apparently something which is driven away (cf. wrecan , 'to drive'). From the adjective may have been formed a pers. name Wrecel . Hence 'Wrecel 's ham(m).'