Catmore is a civil parish and village in West Berkshire about southeast of Wantage. Catmore is in the Berkshire Downs and the centre of the village is about above sea level.
Population
The 2001 Census recorded a population of only 28, making Catmore the least populous parish in Berkshire. In the 2011 Census the Office for National Statistics did not publish Catmore's population separately, but combined it with the neighbouring civil parish of Farnborough. But Catmore remains a separate civil parish, governed by its own parish meeting.
Toponym
The toponym "Catmore" is derived from the Old English for "wild-cat lake". The earliest known records of it are from 916 and 931 in the Cartularium Saxonicum, where it appears as Catmere, Catmeringa and Catmæringa. In the same body of charters it is recorded again in 951 as Catmeres gemære and Catbeorh. The Domesday Book of 1086 records it as Catmere. It evolved via Catmor in the 12th century, Cattermere in the 14th century, Catmard in the 15th century and Cattmere in the 17th century before reaching its present form.
Manor
In the time of Edward the Confessor (reigned 1042–66) a Saxon called Ezui held the manor.
Parish church
thumb|St Margaret's parish church seen from the southeast
The Church of England parish church of Saint Margaret is a Norman building from the latter half of the 12th century. The Diocese of Oxford declared it redundant on 1 December 1973 and is vested in the Churches Conservation Trust on 13 April 1999. It is open daily to visitors.