Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Bercheham 1086 DB

• Bercham 1279 Ass

• Berchamme 1332 SR

• Berkhamme in Flecching 1361 IpmR

• Bergham 1288 Ass 1296 SR

• Barkeham 1611 DLSpecComm

• Barcomb 1766 LewesDeeds

Etymology

This is probably a compound of OE  beorc and hamm, 'enclosure by the birch-tree,' and identical with Barkham (Berks), Beorchamm in BCS 895, though OE  beorg is not out of the question. Cf. the forms of Barpham and Barpham Week supra 164–5. It is on the slope of a hill. It is clear that the name is quite distinct from that of Barcombe supra 313 and attempts to connect it with that manor on the score of its name (VCH i. 420) have no justification.