Thakeham
Major Settlement in the Parish of Thakeham
Historical Forms
- Tacaham 1073 France 1330 FF
- Taceham 1086 DB
- Tacheham 1167 P 1235 Sele
- Takeham c.1200 Perc
- Tacham 1248 Ass
- Techeham 1166 P
- Thecham 1255 FF
- Thacham 1218 FF 1595 MarL
- Thackham 1575 MarC 1650 Wills
- Thacheham 1279 Ass
- Thakeham 1479 IpmR
- Thacombe 1549 Pat
- Fakeham 1610 MarL 1722 MarC
- Thakeham al. Fakeham 1641 Recov 1789 SRS20,292
- Thakeham al. Thackham 1708 FF
Etymology
This is a difficult name. Professor Ekwall would take it to be the same as Thatcham (Berks), þæcham in BCS 1174, hence 'thatch-homestead.' The normal development of OE þæc is to Modern English thack , the form thatch being due to the influence of the cognate vb. thatch . The whole name should develop to Thackham (cf. numerous forms down to the 18th cent.). In modern times the vowel is often lengthened in quite arbitrary fashion.