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.

Felpham

Major Settlement in the Parish of Felpham

Historical Forms

  • Felhhamme c.880 BCS553 c.1000
  • Felhham 953 BCS898 14th
  • Falcheham 1086 DB 14th Harl
  • Falkham 1230 FF 1288,1293 Ass
  • Falgham 1293 Ch 1428 Pat
  • Felk(h)am 1177 P 1262 FF
  • Felcham 1179 P
  • Phel(e)gham, Fel(e)gham 1236 FF 1248 Ass 1332 SR 1428 FA
  • Phelpham 1575 MarC
  • Felffam vel Folgham 1592 SRS14,136
  • Feltham al. Felgham 1593 SRS14,246

Etymology

Probably 'fallow enclosure' (v. fealh , hamm ), as suggested by Ritter (101), but the phonology with early e and later a is not easy. For the uninflected use of the adjective, v. Ritter 139.