World’s largest “ham” suffix cities

Posted on November 27, 2019 by problogic

Birmingham, UK – Source: uk.news.yahoo.com

For the third in our series of city suffixes, we are listing the world’s largest cities whose name contains the suffix of “ham.”According to Quora.com:

The term “ham” is an Old English word meaning farmstead.

The Pronunciation Studio goes a bit farther:

This Old English word means ‘farm’ or ‘homestead’. Confusingly, the ‘h’ is usually silent and so the suffix is pronounced weakly as /əm/:

Needless to say, these communities have certainly outgrown their original farmstead or homestead status. Being an Old English term, the vast majority of the cities listed are located in either England or New England (particularly Massachusetts) with just a smattering of them located elsewhere. The biggest surprise is how few there are in Canada.

The most common “ham” suffix city names on the list are Birmingham (3), Durham (3), and Pelham (3). A minimum population of 10,000 was required for inclusion. Any additions, corrections, or suggestions to this list are most welcome. Enjoy!

  1. Birmingham, England, UK = 1,141,374 (2018 est.)
  2. Markham, Ontario = 328,966 (2016)
  3. Nottingham, England, UK = 321,500 (2015)
  4. Durham, North Carolina = 274,291 (2018 est.)
  5. Birmingham, Alabama = 209,880 (2018 est.)
  6. Wrexham, Wales, UK = 149,000 (2011)
  7. Tottenham, England, UK = 129,237 (2011)
  8. Gresham, Oregon = 110,158 (2018 est.)
  9. Rotherham, England, UK = 109,691 (2011)
  10. Gillingham, Kent, England, UK = 104,157 (2011)
  11. Chatham-Kent, Ontario = 101,647 (2016)
  12. Oldham, England, UK = 96,555 (2011)
  13. Bellingham, Washington = 90,665 (2018 est.)
  14. Framingham, Massachusetts = 72,032 (2017 est.)
  15. Mitcham, England, UK = 63,393 (2011)
  16. Waltham, Massachusetts = 62,962 (2018 est.)
  17. Beckenham, England, UK = 56,668 (2011)
  18. Horsham, England, UK = 55,657 (2001)
  19. Altricham, England, UK = 52,419 (2011)
  20. Twickenham, England, UK = 52,396 (2011)
  21. Durham, England, UK = 48,069 (2011)
  22. Wokingham, England, UK = 46,745 (2017 est.)
  23. Pakenham, Victoria, Australia = 46,421 (2016)
  24. Chippenham, England, UK = 45,337 (2011)
  25. Grantham, England, UK = 44,580 (2016 est.)
  26. Lytham St. Annes, England, UK = 42,954 (2011)
  27. Fareham, England, UK = 42,210 (2011)
  28. Farnham, england, UK = 49,488 (2011)
  29. Billingham, England, UK = 35,165 (2011)
  30. Needham, Massachusetts = 30,999 (2011)
  31. Feltham, England, UK = 27,104 (2011)
  32. Dedham, Massachusetts = 25,364 (2017)
  33. Withal, England, UK = 25,353 (2011)
  34. Rainham, England, UK = 25,000 (2011 est.)
  35. Pelham, Alabama = 23,493 (2017 est.)
  36. Evesham, England, UK = 23,428 (2011)
  37. Penworthham, England, UK = 23,047 (2011)
  38. Natham, India = 22,533 (2001)
  39. Hingham, Massachusetts = 22,157 (2010)
  40. Wareham, Massachusetts = 21,822 (2010)
  41. Chesham, England, UK = 21,483 (2011)
  42. Stoneham, Massachusetts = 21,437 (2010)
  43. Birmingham, Michigan = 21,322 (2018 est.)
  44. Waltham Abbey, England, UK = 21,149 (2011)
  45. Caterham, England, UK = 21,030 (2011)
  46. Shoreham-by-Sea, England, UK =20,547 (2011)
  47. Hailsham, England, UK = 20,476 (2011)
  48. Seaham, England, UK = 20,179 (2011)
  49. Burnham-on-Sea, England, UK = 19,576 (2011)
  50. Faversham, England, UK = 19,316 (2011)
  51. Dereham, England, UK = 18,609 (2011)
  52. Windham, Maine = 17,272 (2012 est.)
  53. Cottingham, England, UK = 17,164 (2011)
  54. Brigham, England, UK = 16,693 (2011)
  55. Horsham, Victoria, Australia = 16,792 (2016)
  56. Windlesham, England, UK = 16,775 (2010)
  57. Keynsham, England, UK = 16,641 (2011)
  58. Brenham, Texas = 15,716 (2010)
  59. Graham, North Carolina = 15,086 (2018 est.)
  60. Horsham, Pennsylvania = 14,842 (2010)
  61. Melksham, England, UK = 14,677 (2011)
  62. Durham, New Hampshire = 14,638 (2010)
  63. Rockingham, WA, Australia = 14,428 (2016)
  64. Wymondham, England, UK = 14,405 (2011)
  65. Amersham, England, UK = 14,384 (2011)
  66. West Wickham, England, UK = 14,276 (2011)
  67. North Hykehem, England, UK = 13,884 (2011)
  68. Pelham, New Hampshire = 13,681 (2017 est.)
  69. Windham, New Hampshire = 23,592 (2010)
  70. Raynham, Massachusetts = 13,383 (2010)
  71. Corsham, England, UK = 13,000 (2011)
  72. Buckingham, England, UK = 12,890 (2011)
  73. Chatham, Illinois = 12,674 (2018 est.)
  74. North Walsham, England, UK = 12,634 (2011)
  75. Effingham, Illinois = 12,627 (2018 est.)
  76. Pelham , New York = 12,585 (2016 est.)
  77. Hersham, England, UK = 12,414 (2011)
  78. Wrentham, Massachusetts = 11,838 (2017)
  79. Hexham, England, UK = 11,829 (2011)
  80. Gillingham, Dorset, England, UK = 11,756 (2011)
  81. Hexham, England, UK = 11,289 (2011)
  82. Dagenham, England, UK = 11,267 (2011)
  83. Taverham, England, UK = 10,142 (2011)
  84. Bonham, Texas = 10,127 (2010)
  85. Padiham, England, UK = 10,098 (2011)

SOURCES:

  1. en.wikipedia.org
  2. personal knowledge
  3. maps.google.com
  4. 2019 Rand McNally Road Atlas
  5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_towns_in_England

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