Odiham.-- market town and par., Hants, in NE. of co., 3 miles SW. of Winchfield sta. and 23 NE. of Winchester, 7355 ac., pop. 2623; P.O., T.O., 1 Bank. Market-day, Tuesday. Odiham occupies a picturesque situation on the slope of a chalk hill, and in the heart of a wooded district, from which it derives its name - a corruption of "woody ham." It dates from Saxon times, and had then a royal residence of the kings of Wessex. After the Norman Conquest a castle was built here, and the town rose in importance. It is now a seat of petty and special sessions, and has an endowed grammar school. Two fairs are held annually, and some small mfrs. are carried on.

(John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887))