Waltham....definition

[rccatnap]

We know of several Walthams, e.g White Waltham; Bishops Waltham etc., but does the word waltham have a meaning?

[Jules001]

yes, depending on sources some say it is of Saxon origin and walt means wood and ham means home or settlement, so basically it means 'home in the wood'. Other sources say 'The name Waltham derives from the old english 'wealdham' meaning a woodland estate'

[jno]

Walthamstow, on the other hand, means 'welcome place' (a place where guests are welcomed) or Wilcume's place (W being a woman, though nobody knows who); the spelling seems to have changed after being tangled up with Waltham Abbey, which means what Jules said.

[Zen]

The name Waltham is of Saxon origin "walt" meaning "wood" and "ham" meaning "home" literally "wood-home" or home in the wood.

http://www.btinternet.com/~a.esplen/more2.htm

[JULIEWOOLIE]

How interesting I live in Bishops Waltham and had no idea of its meaning, I have to say though I wouldnt call us a heavily wooded area! Julie

[jno]

much of Britain was once covered with ancient forest, but it's been cut down over the centuries for fuel, to create farmland, or to build ships. So the name is probably evidence that your area really was forest once, JULIEWOOLIE

[mightymouse]

Thanks to all of you. I've been away for a few days, hence have been unable to see your answers until now.
I had an idea about 'ham' but was in the dark about 'walt'.

(Mind you, if you had met Walt, you'd know what I mean;)