Familiar or curious, place names are part of the linguistic and cultural heritage of the British Isles. This is an irresistable reference book for all with an interest in names, early languages and local history.
Previously titled 'The Oxford Dictionary of English Place Names', this new edition has been updated and expanded to cover Irish, Scottish, and Welsh place-names as well English names, and it traces the development of British place-names from the earliest times to the present day.
From Abbas Combe to Zennor, it gives the meanings and origin of over 17,000 British place-names. The names are listed as they appear on maps and road signs.
Ideal reference for the tourist or local historian, it is absorbing reading for anyone interested in the names of England's towns and villages.
Maps showing boundaries of historical and modern counties of the countries are included, and are updated to incorporate the recent boundary changes. A glossary of common elements in British place-names is also part of this book.
Contents:
Preface
Introducion
- Place-names and their Meanings
- Scope and Arrangement of the Dictionary
- The Chronology and Languages of English Place-names
- Some Different Place-name Types and Structures
- Irish Place-names
- Scottish Place-names
- Welsh Place-names
- The Wider Significance of Place-names
List of Counties and Unitary Authorities
Abbreviations
Maps
Dictionary of British Place-names
Glossary of Some Common Elements in British Place-names
Select Bibliography for Further Reading
Review:Another volume for every local historian's shelf - Local Historian
a book which will prove to be an indispensable travelling companion - Landscape History
