How the place where you live got it's name

**tom deloford** · 22-03-2005, 03:49 PM

Hi, thanks, do you know what the difference between Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells is, are they related and if so what period did their names diverge??

**Howard** · 22-03-2005, 03:53 PM

I live in New Haw.

**iranu** · 22-03-2005, 04:19 PM

Tonbridge Kent

Recorded as Tonebridge 1086 (DB)
Book says Probably 'bridge belonging to the estate or manor'
OE tún + brycg

Tunbridge Wells Kent

Named from Tonbridge above. So YES they are related. Wells referring to the medicinal springs discovered there in the 17th century. The affix 'Royal' was bestowed on the town by Edward VII.

No New Haw I'm afraid but this is just up the road

Addlestone Surrey.

Recorded Attelesdene 1241.
Meaning 'Valley of a man called Ættel' (wow he uses alt code 0198 for Æ, sometimes I surprise even myself

)
Obviously derived from Ættel + OE word 'denu' (valley)

**LWA** · 22-03-2005, 04:19 PM

Try these:

Home: Mydroilyn
Uni: Aberystwyth
Work: Hall Green

Cheers,
Leon

**iranu** · 22-03-2005, 05:10 PM

Unfortunately my book is called "English Place Names" so I can only really do those. D'oh. Sorry. However,

Aberystwyth means 'Mouth of the Ystwyth' in Welsh. If you look at a local map (for local people - there's nothing for you here!) you will see the river Ystwyth runs through Llanfarian and out to see at Aberystwyth. More info here

Mydroilyn Often small villages and hamlets have little info, even on the interweb. A Welsh speaker would no doubt be able to give some meaning.

LOL- sounds like a Bristolian saying "my drawing" often pronounced "my draw-lin.

Hall Green not listed, but green usually refers to a meadow or green enclosure in other place names.

Green is derived from Anglo-Saxon (AS) word 'grene'.

The word Hall is derived from the (AS) word 'heal' meaning shelter but could also mean a manor house.

**Flibb** · 22-03-2005, 05:14 PM

Tunbridge Wells is where all the posh people went to get away from Tonbridge. Also the water tastes bloody orrible, although there is some good fly fishing over there.

**MasterFlash** · 22-03-2005, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Flibb

Tunbridge Wells is where all the posh people went to get away from Tonbridge.

Thats why I moved there to get away from you

**Flibb** · 22-03-2005, 05:23 PM

I thought you moved next to the crematorium for easy access when you felt horny.

Then again am quiet gratefull to those that live in TWells, they pay for my nice spangly (when I get the wife to clean it) car.

**Dooms** · 22-03-2005, 10:00 PM

Home town - Shrewsbury
Where i am atm - Cricklewood (London)

**Jonny M** · 22-03-2005, 10:03 PM

Welwyn

**JK Ferret** · 23-03-2005, 12:45 AM

Originally Posted by iranu

Piggybacking on the Where do you live thread.

If you want to know the meaning of or how the place where you live got it's name then post here. Can't promise it for everyone but will give it a go.

For Kedanul

eg. Hemel Hempstead

From 'Hamelamestede' from the Doomsday Book (DB) 1086AD

Hemel is an old district name first recorded circa (c.) 705AD meaning 'broken, undulating' from the Old English (OE) 'hamel'

Hempstead usually means 'the homestead' from OE 'ham-steade'

Meaning what?

A broken, undulating homestead?

**dazedhorizon** · 23-03-2005, 03:04 AM

Live in a tiny village called: Pant

Near a town called: Oswestry

Work in Chester

**Michael** · 23-03-2005, 03:36 AM

Blackpool...

**iranu** · 23-03-2005, 05:48 PM

Shrewsbury Shropshire

Called Scrobbesbyrig in 11th century and recorded as Sciropesberie 1086 (DB) meaning 'Fortified place of the scrubland region'.

Derived from district name 'scrobb' (OE) + OE word 'burg' (dative byrig) meaning fort.

Cricklewood Gtr London

Recorded as Le Crikeldwode 1294, meaning 'the curved wood'. Derived from the Middle English (language spoken from c.1100-c.1500 ME) words 'crikeled' + 'wode'.

Welwyn Herts

Recorded as Welingum c.945. and Welge 1086 (DB)
Meaning (Place at) the willow-trees. Derives from the OE word 'welig' in a dative plural form of 'weligum' the word for willow (tree).

ElyK - Hemel Hempstead is most likely 'Undulating homestead'. iirc the town is on or surrounded by some pretty big hills. (note: broken does not necessarily mean 'it needs fixing', e.g. the skyline was broken by 10 large skyscrapers. Broken can mean jagged if you get my drift.)

Pant. There are two "Pants" quiet close together, unfortunately none are listed (too small?), but

Oswestry Shrops

Recorded as Oswaldestroe 1191. Meaning 'Tree of a man called Õswald'. Derived from the persons name + OE word 'treow' (tree). The traditional connection with St Oswald, 7th century king of Northumbria, is uncertain, according to book.

Chester Chesterfield.

Named as 'Deoua' c.150, 'Legacæstir' 735 and 'Cestre' 1086 (DB) So it's bloomin old!!

Derived from OE 'cester' meaning 'Roman town or city'. It was originally called Deoua from it's situation on the river Dee, later Legacæstir meaning 'City of the legions'.

Blackpool Lancs.

Called Pul c.1260 and Blackpoole in 1602. Surprisingly it means 'Dark-coloured pool'

Derived from OE words blæc + pull.

Nice pic by the way.

**Kezzer** · 23-03-2005, 06:15 PM

Guernsey

or more precise, St Peter Port

**iranu** · 24-03-2005, 09:22 PM

Sry Kezzer - neither of those are listed, which is quite strange.

Port is an OE word and has certainly been around since before 1086 and means harbour. No real surprise there then

St Peter I presume is one of the disciples who was 'martyred' during the reign of nero, about 30 years after the crucifiction.

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