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.

Walsham Meadow

Early-attested site in the Parish of Pyrford

Historical Forms

  • Watyllesham 1504 WAM
  • Wadelesham, Waldelesham, Waltesham, Walesham 1548 LRMB
  • Waltesham, Waldesham mede t.Ed6 Rental
  • Walsham mead 1644 Onslow
  • meadow called Wallsome 1652 Moulton

Etymology

The forms are hardly early enough for any certainty. If those with initial wh are the correct ones, the first element may be the pers. name Hwætel postulated to explain Whatlington (PN Sx 500). The second element is probably hamm , the name referring to flat meadow-land by the Wey here.