Uplowman Parish

We cannot be sure when the first settlers came but we do know that a Neolithic (New Stone Age 4000~2000 BC) burial mound or long barrow has been found near Craze Lowman and axe handles also.  Unfortunately the mound was levelled for cultivation in the 1980’s before it could be scheduled in 1990.

The Saxons occupation of East Devon was completed about the year 670 AD and at some time between this date and the Norman Conquest, some Saxon looking for a likely site to settle must have come across the Uplowman valley and built himself a hut, and started to drain and clear the land. Shortly no doubt his friends joined him, and so our village was formed.

We shall never know why the village is called Uplowman, but the most probable theory advanced is that it comes from the Saxon word “lowmene” meaning slow-moving river.  “Up” is obviously the upper part of the river, and “Craze Lowman” means the middle part of the Lowman.

Prior to the Normans the land at Uplowman was a part of the Land of Gotshelm (which also included Ash Thomas, East Manley and Whitnage) and held in part by Alnoth who paid taxes, and by Aelmer, a priest.

The earliest remaining building dates from the late 13^th century in parts of Uplowman Court, just behind the church. Uplowman has 37 listed buildings or items, which is remarkable for a village with only about 140 houses in total. There are more that are not listed but very old.

The Normans arrived in 1066 and the village, including five farms, was named in the doomsday book. The Normans divided the land between their supporters and the first to hold the title of The Manor of Uplowman was the “de Lomen” or “de Lumine” family, and afterwards in the 15^th century passed to the Willington family, and then Beaumont and Powlett families.

More information about the history of the village can be found by contacting the Ferrets, our local history group. Contact details are provided in this pack. Alternatively have a look at the “History” section on this website.