Ockham History

OCKHAM, a parish in the second division of Woking hundred, county Surrey, 4½ miles from Weybridge, 7 N.E. of Guildford, and 1 mile E. of Ripley, its post town. The village, which is of small extent, is situated near the river Wey, and is wholly agricultural.

It is mentioned in Domesday Book as having belonged to Richard de Tonbridge, and was purchased of the Sutton family in 1711 by the Lord High Chancellor, Sir Peter King, from whom it has descended to the Earl of Lovelace, of East Horsby Park, and who takes from this place the inferior title of viscount. The land is partly in common. Charcoal is burnt in the neighbourhood.

The tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £292, and the glebe comprises 139 acres. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Winchester, value £248. The church, dedicated to All Saints, has a chapel attached, and a low embattled tower at the W. end containing five bells. It has a singular E. window, containing seven painted arches. There are brasses of a priest, bearing date 1360, and several monuments to the ancestors of the Earl of Lovelace. The church was erected about 1290, and stands in Ockham Park. The register dates from 1567.

There are industrial, training, and infant schools, built by the late Earl of Lovelace, at a great expense, in the Swiss style. William of Ockham, the invincible doctor, was born in this parish.

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003] These pages are intended for personal use only, so please respect the conditions of use.