Great and Little Totham seem indistinguishable in the Domesday Survey. Four holdings are noted. The largest was held by Thurbert in 1066 and by Richard from Hamo the Steward in 1086. This was assessed at 5 hides. Next, Hugh fitzMauger held a manor of 2 hides and 32 acres from Hugh de Montfort in 1086, which had been held by Cola and later Richard previously. William fitzBrian held half a hide and 30 acres from the Bishop of London in 1087; land held by Eadweald in 1086 as a manor. Finally a small holding of 30 acres was held by Gunnar in 1066, and still in 1086, but from Swein of Essex.
According to Wright (1836) the Little Totham manors were those of Hugh de Montfort and Swein. By the reign of Henry III Little Totham was held by a family called Iarpenvil or Carpenvil, from whom the parish was named Totham Iarpenvil. The living of Little Totham was formerly annexed to that of Goldanger.