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.

Tongham

Early-attested site in the Parish of Seale

Historical Forms

  • Tuangham 1189 Dugdv,242
  • Tuangeham 1205 ChR
  • Twangham 1235,1241 Ass 1244 FF 1255 Ass 1272 FF 1299 Ipm
  • Twangeham 1299 Winton
  • Thwongham 1225 Ass 1332 SR
  • Twongham 1288 Rental 1301,1307 1327 Banco 1422 SR
  • Twengham 1235 FF 1235 Ass 1258 Pat 1336 SR
  • Tangham 1251 Cl
  • Tongeham 1279 Ass
  • Tongham 1283 Rental 1402 IpmR 1403 Ass
  • Tonkham 1385 Rental
  • Tongham Streete 1600 MinAcct
  • Tongham grene t.Jas1 ib
  • Thongham t.Hy8 MinAcct

Etymology

There can be little doubt that Ekwall (PN La 18) is right in taking the first element in this, as in other Tong-names in English, to be a lost OE  *twang , 'tongs.' Topographically the reference in this case would be to the junction of the Wey and a small tributary stream, a mile to the north of Tongham, close by Tongham Moor. Hence 'ham(m) by the fork (in the river).'