Balcombe
Major Settlement in the Parish of Balcombe
Historical Forms
- Balecumba t.Wm2 Lewes 1121 AC 1189 P
- Balecumb(e) 1272 RH 1292 FF 1327 SR
- Belecumbe 1279 Ass
- Baldecombe 1279 Ass
- Baldcomb 1284 FA
- Baulcombe 1639 Recov
- Bawcombe 1688 MarL
- Bolkham 1715 SRS17,49
Etymology
Probably 'Bealda's valley' (v. cumb ). The d would early be lost from the consonantal combination. For this pers. name v. Ballinger (PN Bk 154). The village is on a ridge between two valleys and the reference must be to the valley below.