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.

Magham Down

Early-attested site in the Parish of Hailsham

Historical Forms

  • Megham 13th Bay 1361 IpmR
  • Magham 1261 Ass
  • Mekham 1339 Ipm
  • Megeham 1369 Ch
  • Myggham 1389 Ct
  • Megham Downe 1582 Ct
  • Magham Downe 1686 Ct

Etymology

Magham Down is Megham 13thBay et freq to 1361 IpmR, Magham 1261Ass , Mekham 1339 Ipm, Megeham 1369 Ch, Myggham 1389Ct , Megham Downe 1582Ct , Magham Downe 1686Ct . The first element is probably OE  Mæcga , which might be a pet-form of an OE  pers. name in Mǣg - or possibly the significant word mæcga , 'warrior, son.' v. ham and cf. Magreed infra 465.