Weedon, Bec, Blubberhouses, Stanstead Mountfitchet and Melbury Bubb: English place-names can be curious and amusing. They can also tell us about our past. England's towns, villages, farms, and even fields, have names whose beginnings stratch back over 2000 years. In this well-researched and enjoyable reference book, Charles Whynne-Hammond explains the meanings and derivations of these names. He also finds space to cover the neames of some cinemas, theatres, football clubs and shopping centres@
The book is divivided into two sections. The first charts the evolution of place-names and gives advice to those wishing to undertake further study. The second contacts a county-by-county list of main place-names and their origins. Throughout, the chapters and sections have been carefully designed to allow the be read consecutively or else dipped into at random.
Originally published in 1992 under the titles 'Tracing the History of Place Names', this book appears here in an update, revised and expanded edition. New photographs taken by the author have also been added.
Contents:
Preface
Section A. The Heritage and Evolution of Place-Names
1. The Stidy of Place-Names: Research and Understanding
- Introduction
- Undertaking Research
- Sources
- Linguistic Developments
- Interpreting Source Material
2. The Blending of Languages: Migration and Consolidation
- Introduction
- The Mixing of Tongues
- The Celtic Fringe
- The Saxon Kingdoms
- Danelaw
- The Development of Shires
- The Consolidation of Counties
- County Sub-Division
3. Communication: Tracks, Ways and Roads
- Ancient Trackways
- Roman Roads
- Trading Routes
- Non-Trading Routes
- Turnpikes and Toll Roads
4. The Natural World: Landscape and Nature
- Topographical Features
- Directional Names
- Climatic Names
- Rivers and Estuaries
- Coastal Areas
- Forest Names
- Tree and Plant Names
- Animal Names
5. The Nature of Society: Culture and Belief
- Folk and Tribal Names
- Personal Names
- Group Names
- Pagan Names
- Christian Names
- Death and Burial Names
- Folklore and Legend Names
6. The Need of Society: Co-operation and Protection
- The Speard of Agriculture
- Enclosure Names
- Estate Names
- Fortified Settlement Names
- Colonisation Names
- Bastide Towns
7. The Wealth of Society: Industry and Trade
- Transport Names
- Market Names
- Mineral Names
- Industrial Revolution Names
- Resort Names
- Urban Names
8. Names Within Towns and Villages
- Street Names
- House Names
- Pub Names
- Theatre and Cinema Names
Section B. County Gazetteer
Common Place-Name Elements
Index
