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.

Motcombe

Early-attested site in the Parish of Eastbourne

Historical Forms

  • Motecumbe 1219 Misc
  • Motecombe 1376 CplM

Etymology

Motcombe was the home of Robert de Motecumbe (1219 Misc) and is found in numerous pers. names. It is Motecombe in 1376CplM and is probably a compound of OE  (ge)mot and cumb, hence 'valley near which the hundred-moot was held.' The 'borough' is only 300 yards away (v. Borough Lane supra 426 n.). Preserved in Motcombe Rd. It was originally applied to the site known as Motcombe Fm, at the source of the Bourne stream and close to the church.