General Chat

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I was born in Hoddesdon which means 'Hill of a man called Hod' The other half was born in Enfield which means 'Open land of a man called Eana' Do you know the origin of the names of the places your ancestors lived in? I am getting these definitions from the Oxford Dictionary of British Place Names Dee xx

I believe that (despite some insisting on other reasons), that Milton Keynes was originally 'Middleton de Kaynes'. The local landowenr was the de Kaynes family, and this was the 'town' in the middle of the their land.

I understand that Nottingham was originally called Snottingham but I'm afraid I don't know why? Chrissie x (who'se trying very hard to resist a pun)

You are right Chrissie, It is the 'homestead of the family of a man named Snot' Dee ;-))

Just googled 'snottingham' Chrissie and found this. Before it was modified by Norman influence the name had several forms, e.g. Snothryngham, Snottingaham, Snottingham—but Snotengaham was the earliest. This ending “ham” is akin to the word home, and is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It tells us of a people who came to this country—not, as the Romans did, to exploit—but to colonise and to make for themselves a home. It is not at all unlikely that Snottingham was the home of an Anglian family—Snot (the wise) by name. Thus with the possessive “ing” the whole word means “The home of Snot.” I didn't know either. Heather

Beverley it,s in East Yorkshire Means Beaver Lodge....

Thank goodness my ancestors didn't hail from here:))

I am from Blackburn Lancashire which I think loosely translated means Dirty Water Susan:-)

Hi Dee! Hi! Sunderland, Co Durham, where my Dad's family lived, was 'a separate land' Tredegar, Monmouthshire, South Wales, where my Mum was born, was named after Tegyr's Farm Camberwell, South-East London, where I was born, means 'Leper's well'. It was traditionally the place where lepers only could draw their water, to avoid contamination of the general population (who were probably riddled with other diseases). I have an old Reader's Digest atlas of the British Isles which gives the origins of most British place names. Very useful. I've also got an historical atlas from my schooldays which shows Britain through it's stages from pre-history through to the 1960s, when it was published. It shows the territories of all the clans of Scotland, which is particularly interesting. CB >|<

Where i live now Dunfermline DUNFERMLINE : possibly 'hill-land' ; dun (Gaelic) hill, fortress, mound; lann (Gaelic) land. The 'ferm' element may have something to do with tax exacted on the land. and where i was born SUNDERLAND The name derives from Sundered Land, land set asside for a special purpose. It is thought Sunderland was land sundered from a monastery in Saxon times. Anna :-)

Dee, Would be interested in a few place names, they're only villages though, so may not be in your book ? Deanshanger (previously Denshanger) Yardley Gobion Cardington Gawcott Ta Paul

Paul I have three out of four Cardington (I assume the one in Beds?) Probably estate associated with a man called Caerda ------ Gawcott, Bucks cottage for which rent is payable ---------- Yardley is a wood or clearing where rods or spars are obtained Yardley Gobion, Northants, is from the Gubyun family here in the 13th century Dee xx

I was born in Newcastle upon Tyne. The Romans built the first castle, and Wm the Conquerer's son Curthose (he had nice legs and liked to show them off!) built the New Castle. I was brought up in Wallsend - which was where Hadrian's wall ended. Anne

I seem to remember from history that someone.....probably the Normans decided to map the whole of Britain . Officials were sent out to note the names of the places and when they arrived at some place not known to them by name they asked the locals what it was called................and it was this that gave rise to a lot of the personal names we have today

My nearest big town, Croydon, apparently comes from Saxon croeas deanas which means 'valley of the crocuses'. It's obviously changed a bit since then, sadly! Bev x

Gosport reputedly is a corruption of God's Port. Alverstoke is the 'stoke' (water meadows?) of the River Alver. Fareham is a Traffic Jam between me and anywhere else in the country.

Could you look to see what Ipswich, Suffolk means Thanks Tracy

Hi Dee Im in Liverpool and in 1190 was spelt Liuerpul meaning pool or creek with muddy water. There was a pool which was in Paradise Street and in the 13th Century there was a Castle. Liverpool received a charter from King John in 1207 Regards Yvonne

Camberwell Beauty, I used to live in Camberwell New Rd as a kiddie, thanks for the meaning 'lepers well'. I wish I new the history of the area.