Re: Batham Surname

Dear Steve
I am Michaelas uncle and like her interested in the London connection of Batham. The earliest trace of the name I can find is on the IGI is the Christening of Anne Battoome in the late 1500s. Her father is Wylla and it takes place in London. I understand the name was originally prounced Bat-ham and the in more modern times. This no doubt acconts for the many ways the name is spelt which makes tracing records so very hard and complicated. However I have often wondered if the name derives from that of "Betham". This family name dates back to the 12th. Century and finds its roots in Cumbria. There is still the remains of a castle which was the family home located in a village called Betham which in turn takes its name from a nearby river with a similar sounding name. I believe the family also were represented in Parliament and I wonder if at some stage members of the family came to London or moved to the Midlands. There is a lot of information on the Web concerning the name you may wish to research for yourself. I would be interested to know what you think. I am also in touch with a family from Australia who are decended from a William Batham who married Honor Skelding also from your part of the world. Kind regards.