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.

Tangmere

Major Settlement in the Parish of Tangmere

Historical Forms

  • Tangmere 680 BCS 10th SR 1332 Pat 1378
  • Tanghemere 1314 Ch
  • Tangemere 1086 DB 1091–1125 ADA1417 1296 SR 1327 SR
  • Tangamera 1121 AC
  • Tongmer 1656 SAC42,114

Etymology

There is no mere here now, but it is clear from BCS 50 (cf. supra 63 n. 1) that there were once a number of meres in the neighbourhood. The first element is OE  tang , 'tongs,' but it is impossible to say in what sense it was used. Possibly the mere lay at the junction of two ancient tracks. It should be noted that in Box (16d) we have reference to a Tangestede somewhere in this neighbourhood.

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site