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.

Salt Marsh

Early-attested site in the Parish of Hailsham

Historical Forms

  • Saltmersh 1508 CplM
  • Saltmarsh Levell 1714 PHB

Etymology

Salt Marsh (6″) is Saltmersshe 1528, Shaldmershe 1536, 1587 Hailsham, Saltmersh 1508CplM , Saltmarsh Levell 1714PHB .The second form suggests that this is possibly a corruption of ME  shalde-mersh , 'shallow marsh,' v. sceald . Otherwise 'salt' in contrast to the common 'fresh' marsh.