Unearthing 100+ UK Town Names: A Shocking Journey Through 2,000 Years of History!
Ever driven through a quaint little British town and wondered, "Who came up with that name?"
I know I have!
It's like peeling back layers of an onion, each revealing a little more about the past.
And let me tell you, when it comes to UK town names, there are more layers than you can imagine.
We're talking about a linguistic archaeological dig, going back thousands of years!
Buckle up, because we're about to embark on a truly captivating journey.
This isn't just about dusty old history books; it's about the very words we use every day, and how they connect us to a past filled with Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, and even ancient Britons.
You'll be absolutely floored by some of the revelations.
---Table of Contents
The Secret Language of UK Town Names: More Than Just Letters!
Anglo-Saxon Chronicles: The Foundation of Modern UK Town Names
People, Places, and Possessions: The Human Element in UK Town Names
Trade, Travel, and Tributes: Economic Clues in UK Town Names
The Secret Language of UK Town Names: More Than Just Letters!
Have you ever really looked at the names of towns and cities around the UK?
I mean, *really* looked?
It’s not just a collection of random syllables, I promise you.
Each one is a tiny time capsule, a linguistic fossil, if you will, preserving clues about who lived there, what they did, and what the landscape looked like thousands of years ago.
It’s like unlocking a secret code, and once you start seeing the patterns, you won't be able to stop.
Seriously, it's addictive!
From the bustling streets of London to the quiet villages in the Cotswolds, every name has a story.
And these stories are often far more dramatic, humorous, or even mundane than you'd ever expect.
Think about it: before detailed maps and GPS, how did people know where they were?
They relied on descriptions, on prominent features, on the very essence of a place.
And those descriptions became the names.
This isn't just about academia; it's about understanding the very fabric of British identity.
It's in the names of our towns and cities, written in plain sight, if only we know how to read them.
---Roman Echoes: Where Latin Left Its Lasting Mark
Let's kick things off with the big one: the Romans.
When the Roman Empire stretched its mighty arms across Britain, they didn't just build roads and baths; they left an indelible linguistic footprint.
And many of these footprints are still clearly visible in our UK town names today.
The most obvious one? The suffix **-chester**, **-caster**, or **-cester**.
This gem comes directly from the Latin word **"castra,"** meaning a "fortified camp."
It's like a neon sign pointing to a former Roman military outpost.
Think about it:
Manchester: Once a Roman fort named Mamucium.
Winchester: Originally Venta Belgarum, a Roman town.
Colchester: Camulodunum to the Romans, a major settlement.
Lancaster: From 'Lune' (the river) + 'castra'.
Cirencester: Corinium Dobunnorum, a significant Roman town.
Dorchester: Durnovaria in Roman times.
Exeter: Isca Dumnoniorum, another key Roman presence.
Leicester: Ratae Corieltauvorum, a Roman settlement on the River Soar.
See a pattern emerging?
It's like the Romans were leaving breadcrumbs for us to follow, thousands of years later.
Then there's **-street**, derived from the Latin **"strata,"** meaning paved road.
These places were usually on or near a major Roman road:
Stratford-upon-Avon: A 'ford' on a 'street' (Roman road).
Watling Street: Not a town, but a famous Roman road name itself.
Street, Somerset: A village quite literally named after a Roman road.
And don't forget **-port**, from Latin **"portus,"** meaning a harbour or gate, or simply a market town:
Portsmouth: A classic example.
Davenport: Though this often refers to a crossing point rather than a sea port.
Sometimes the Roman influence is a little more subtle, like in Bath, whose name is a direct reference to the Roman baths built there.
It’s absolutely mind-boggling how durable these names are.
It speaks volumes about the sheer impact of the Roman occupation.
They built things to last, including their linguistic legacy!
---Anglo-Saxon Chronicles: The Foundation of Modern UK Town Names
After the Romans packed up and left, Britain entered a new era: the Anglo-Saxon period.
And boy, did they leave their mark on UK town names – arguably more so than any other group!
Old English, the language of the Anglo-Saxons, is the bedrock of so many familiar place-names.
You'll start seeing these patterns everywhere once you know what to look for.
The ‘Tun’ of It All: Settlements Galore
The most prolific Anglo-Saxon suffix is **-ton** or **-tun**, meaning "settlement," "farm," or "enclosure."
It’s practically omnipresent!
It tells you a place was, at its heart, a farm or a small village.
Brighton: 'Beorhthelm's tun' – the farm of a person named Beorhthelm.
Southampton: 'South-ham-tun' – the south homestead settlement.
Nottingham: 'Snotinga ham' – the homestead of Snot's people.
Burton: 'Burh-tun' – a fortified settlement.
Charlton: 'Ceorla tun' – the settlement of the free peasants.
Preston: 'Priesta tun' – the priest's farm.
See? Millions of them!
It’s like they just kept adding 'ton' to whatever came to mind.
‘Ham’ Sweet Home: Homesteads and Villages
Another incredibly common one is **-ham**, from Old English **"ham,"** meaning "homestead" or "village."
It conjures images of cozy, established communities.
Birmingham: 'Beorma-ingas-ham' – the homestead of Beorma’s people.
Cheltenham: From an Old English personal name 'Celta' + 'hamm' (water meadow).
Durham: 'Dunholm' – island hill, but evolved to 'Durham'.
‘Borough’ and ‘Bury’: Fortified Places
The suffix **-borough**, **-bury**, or **-burgh** comes from Old English **"burh"** (or **"burg"**), meaning a "fortified place" or "town."
These were often important administrative centers or places of refuge.
Edinburgh: 'Eadwine's burh' – Eadwine’s fort (though in Scotland, it has a strong Gaelic influence too).
Canterbury: 'Cantware-burh' – the burh of the Kentish people.
Scarborough: 'Skarthi’s burh' – a Viking name with an Anglo-Saxon suffix.
Peterborough: Named after St. Peter's Monastery and its associated 'burh'.
‘Leigh’ and ‘Ley’: Clearings in the Woods
Then there's **-leigh** or **-ley**, from Old English **"leah,"** which means a "woodland clearing."
This tells you the area was once heavily forested, and these settlements were carved out of the wilderness.
Wolverhampton: 'Wulfere's hamtun' (or 'Wulfrun's hamtun') meaning Wulfrun's high or principal enclosure, but the 'hampton' part includes the idea of a clearing or homestead.
Hadleigh: 'Heath-leah' – a heath clearing.
Ockley: 'Oak-leah' – an oak clearing.
‘Worth’: Enclosures and Estates
The suffix **-worth** (Old English **"worth"**) refers to an "enclosed settlement" or "estate."
It suggests a more organized, perhaps even valuable, piece of land.
Tamworth: 'Tame-worth' – an enclosure on the River Tame.
Kenilworth: 'Cynehild's worth' – Cynehild's enclosure.
‘Stow’: Meeting Places
And **-stow** (Old English **"stow"**) means a "place" or "meeting place," often a holy place or an important gathering point.
Chepstow: 'Ceap-stow' – a market place.
Padstow: 'Padan stow' – St. Paternus's holy place.
The Anglo-Saxons were wonderfully descriptive with their UK town names!
It's like they were creating a medieval Google Maps, where every name was a landmark and a description rolled into one.
It truly shows how much of our language and culture is rooted in this period.
---Viking Invasions: Norse Names That Stuck Around
Just when you thought you had a handle on things, along came the Vikings!
From the 9th century onwards, Norse invaders made their presence felt, particularly in the North and East of England, creating what was known as the Danelaw.
And with them came a whole new set of linguistic elements that integrated into existing UK town names or created entirely new ones.
‘By’: Settlements and Farms
The most iconic Viking contribution is the suffix **-by**, from Old Norse **"býr,"** meaning a "farm" or "settlement."
If you see a -by, you're pretty much in Viking territory!
Derby: 'Deoraby' – deer farm or settlement.
Grimsby: 'Grimr’s býr' – Grimr’s farm.
Whitby: 'Hvíti býr' – white settlement (perhaps referring to chalk cliffs).
Rugby: 'Hroca-by' – Hroca's farm.
It's incredible how many of these exist, especially in counties like Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.
It’s a clear geographical marker of where the Vikings settled and farmed the land.
‘Thorp’: Villages and Hamlets
Another common Norse element is **-thorp** or **-thorpe**, from Old Norse **"thorp,"** meaning a "village" or "hamlet."
These were often smaller, dependent settlements.
Scunthorpe: 'Skumara-thorp' – Skumara’s thorp.
Osgathorpe: 'Osgar’s thorp' – Osgar’s village.
‘Toft’: Homesteads and Building Sites
You might also spot **-toft**, from Old Norse **"toft,"** referring to a "homestead" or "building site."
It suggests a more specific plot of land with structures on it.
Lowestoft: 'Hlothver's toft' – Hlothver’s homestead.
‘Kirk’: Churches
The Norse also gave us **-kirk**, from Old Norse **"kirkja,"** meaning "church."
It’s distinct from the Old English 'church' or 'minster'.
Kirkby: 'Kirk-býr' – church farm.
Ormskirk: 'Ormr's kirk' – Ormr's church.
Direct Norse Names
Sometimes, the entire name is of Norse origin, indicating a very strong Viking presence.
York: Derived from 'Jórvík', the Viking name for the city of Eboracum.
Sunderland: 'Sundor-land' – separated land, a term often associated with Norse areas.
The linguistic mosaic of the UK is truly something to behold, isn’t it?
The Viking influence shows just how profoundly different cultures can intertwine and leave an enduring legacy, not just in battles and laws, but in the very names of the places we inhabit.
---Celtic Whispers: The Enduring Spirit of Ancient Britain
Before the Romans, before the Anglo-Saxons, and certainly before the Vikings, Britain was a Celtic land.
And while their language has been largely overshadowed in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland still carry strong Celtic linguistic traditions.
Even in England, though, you can find echoes of these ancient tongues in the names of rivers, hills, and some of the oldest settlements.
Rivers: The Oldest Names
Often, the oldest place names are found in the names of natural features, especially rivers.
Many major English rivers have Celtic or even pre-Celtic origins, and towns subsequently took their names from these rivers.
Avon: From the Welsh/Brythonic 'afon', simply meaning "river." There are multiple Avons in the UK!
Thames: From a pre-Celtic word 'Tamesis', meaning "dark river." London itself is on the Thames.
Exe, Usk, Esk: All derived from a Celtic word for "water" or "fish."
Dover: From the Celtic 'dubras' meaning "waters."
‘Pen’: Hilltops and Heads
In the West, particularly Cornwall and parts of Cumbria, you'll find 'pen', from Welsh/Brythonic 'pen', meaning "head" or "hill."
Penzance: 'Pen-sans' – holy headland.
Pendleton: 'Pen-hill-tun' – a fascinating combination of Celtic, Old English, and Old English again!
‘Coed’/’Bret’: Woods and Britons
Less common in England, but still present:
Lichfield: Debated, but possibly from 'Llwyd-coed' – grey wood.
Walton: This isn't Celtic itself, but often means 'Wala-tun' – the settlement of the Welsh (i.e., native Britons), indicating an Anglo-Saxon observation of a Celtic population.
Wales: A Treasure Trove of Celtic Names
Of course, in Wales, almost all place names are Welsh!
This is where Celtic languages truly thrive.
Aberystwyth: 'Aber' (mouth of a river) + 'Ystwyth' (the river name) – mouth of the River Ystwyth.
Caernarfon: 'Cae' (field) + 'yn arfon' (opposite Mon/Anglesey) – field opposite Anglesey.
Llanelli: 'Llan' (church or enclosure) + 'Eli' (a saint's name) – St. Eli's church.
Scotland: Gaelic and Pictish Influences
Scotland offers a mix of Gaelic, Pictish, and Norse influences.
Inverness: 'Inbhir Nis' – mouth of the River Ness.
Glasgow: From the Brythonic 'glas-cau' – green hollow.
It’s truly incredible to think that some of these sounds have been spoken and passed down for thousands of years, a direct link to the very first inhabitants of these islands.
It's like finding ancient cave paintings, but in spoken form!
---Norman Conquest: A French Twist to British Toponymy
In 1066, William the Conqueror arrived, bringing with him a new elite, a new language (Old French), and a new administrative system.
While the Normans didn't rename vast swathes of towns in the way the Anglo-Saxons did, they certainly left their mark, often by adding their own descriptors to existing UK town names, especially when it came to distinguishing places with the same name or denoting ownership.
Distinguishing Duplicates: Adding Personal Names
Perhaps the most common Norman influence is the addition of a Norman lord's name to a pre-existing English place name to differentiate it from other places with the same name.
Stoke Mandeville: 'Stoke' (Anglo-Saxon for "outlying farm") + 'Mandeville' (a Norman family name).
Leigh Delamere: 'Leigh' (Anglo-Saxon for "clearing") + 'Delamere' (another Norman family name).
Higham Ferrers: 'Higham' (Anglo-Saxon for "high homestead") + 'Ferrers' (a Norman family).
Coombe Keynes: 'Coombe' (Old English for "valley") + 'Keynes' (a Norman family).
It's like they were saying, "No, not *that* Stoke, the Stoke *belonging to Mandeville*!"
Practical, if not wildly imaginative!
Adding Descriptive Norman French Terms
Sometimes, French descriptive terms were added:
Beaumont: 'Beau mont' – beautiful hill (though often a specific family name became associated with it).
Richmond: 'Riche mont' – strong hill (often associated with a specific Norman castle).
Places Named After Saints (French Influence)
Many places named after saints also saw Norman French spellings or direct translations.
St Albans: Named after Saint Alban, whose cult was promoted by the Normans.
St Ives: Named after Saint Ia or Saint Ivo.
While not as widespread as the Anglo-Saxon or Viking influences, the Norman additions provide a fascinating layer of administrative and feudal history to our UK town names.
It shows how power dynamics can literally change the map, or at least how we refer to places on it.
---Nature's Own Glossary: When Landscapes Shaped UK Town Names
Before maps, before fancy signage, the easiest way to describe a place was by its surroundings.
So, it's no surprise that a huge number of UK town names are directly derived from natural features.
It's like Mother Nature herself was the original cartographer!
Hills, Valleys, and Mountains
Hill/Don/Down: From Old English 'hyll' or 'dun' meaning 'hill' or 'downland'.
Hillingdon: 'Hill-tun-dun' – a hill settlement on the down.
Acton: 'Oak-tun' – but many 'Actons' are on slight rises.
South Downs: An area named after its undulating chalk hills.
Combe/Coombe: From Old English 'cumb' meaning 'valley' or 'hollow'.
Ilfracombe: 'Alfredecombe' – Alfred’s valley.
Widcombe: 'Witta's combe' – Witta’s valley.
Ridge: Self-explanatory, from Old English 'hrycg'.
Kingsbridge: Named after a bridge, but often on a ridge.
Water, Water Everywhere
Ford: A crossing point over a river or stream, from Old English 'ford'.
Oxford: 'Oxen-ford' – a ford for oxen.
Bradford: 'Broad ford' – a wide ford.
Hertford: 'Heorot-ford' – deer ford.
Bridge: From Old English 'brycg'.
Cambridge: Originally 'Grontabrycg' – bridge over the River Granta.
Stockbridge: 'Stoc-brycg' – log bridge.
Burn/Bourne: From Old English 'burna' meaning 'stream' or 'brook'.
Blackburn: 'Blæc-burna' – black stream.
Bournemouth: 'Bourne-mouth' – mouth of the stream.
Eye/Ea: From Old English 'īeg' or 'ēg' meaning 'island' or 'dry ground in a marsh'.
Chelsea: 'Cealc-hythe' or 'Cælic-hyð' – chalk wharf, but sometimes 'island' derivations are suggested.
Battersea: 'Badric's īeg' – Badric’s island.
Woods and Trees
Wood/Wold: From Old English 'wudu' meaning 'wood' or 'forest', or 'weald' for 'woodland'.
Norwood: 'North-wood' – north forest.
The Wolds: Upland areas often covered in ancient woodland.
Oak/Ash/Birch/Linden etc.: Names of specific trees.
Oakham: 'Oak-ham' – oak homestead.
Ashton: 'Æsc-tun' – ash-tree farm.
Other Natural Features
Heath: From Old English 'hæth' meaning 'open uncultivated land'.
Hatfield: 'Hæth-feld' – heath field.
Stoke: Meaning 'place' or 'outlying farm', but often in a specific natural setting.
Stoke-on-Trent: Place on the River Trent.
It's fascinating to imagine these early settlers looking around, pointing to a river, a hill, or a cluster of trees, and saying, "Right, that's what we'll call this place!"
It's a testament to how closely tied human settlements were to the natural world in ancient times.
It makes you want to go out and see if the 'broad ford' is still broad, doesn't it?
---People, Places, and Possessions: The Human Element in UK Town Names
Beyond the landscape, the people themselves and their activities heavily influenced UK town names.
Sometimes it was the name of a chieftain, other times a profession, or even an important building.
Personal Names
Many towns are simply named after a prominent individual, often with an Anglo-Saxon 'ing' (meaning 'people of') or 'tun' (settlement).
Birmingham: As mentioned, 'Beorma's people's homestead'.
Reading: 'Rēadingas' – the people of Reada.
Lewisham: 'Leofwine's ham' – Leofwine's homestead.
Kensington: 'Kensig's tun' – Kensig's farm.
Islington: 'Gīselhere's dun' – Gīselhere’s hill.
It’s like they were leaving a permanent address label on the land!
Occupations and Social Status
Sometimes the name tells you what kind of people lived or worked there.
Shepherd's Bush: A place where shepherds would gather or pasture their sheep.
Knighton: 'Cnihta-tun' – the farm of the servants or young warriors.
Kingston: 'Cyninges-tun' – the king's estate (a royal manor).
Bishop Auckland: 'Bishop's Oak-land' – land belonging to a bishop, near oaks.
Important Buildings or Features
Churches, markets, and other significant structures also gave rise to UK town names.
Churchill: A hill with a church on it.
Market Harborough: Named for its market (added later) and an existing 'burh' (fortified place).
Newark: 'Nīwe Weorc' – new work, referring to a new fortification or building.
Minster: From Old English 'mynster', meaning 'monastery' or 'large church'.
Westminster: West monastery.
Axminster: Monastery on the River Axe.
These names paint a vivid picture of medieval society, highlighting the importance of powerful individuals, community roles, and central institutions.
It's a bit like Browse a historical LinkedIn profile, isn't it?
---Trade, Travel, and Tributes: Economic Clues in UK Town Names
Beyond natural features and people, the economic activities of a place often found their way into its name.
Trade routes, market towns, and even the products produced there left their linguistic stamp.
Market Towns
The most straightforward are those explicitly named for their market function, often with a later addition:
Market Bosworth: 'Bōsa’s worth' (Bosa’s enclosure) + 'Market' indicating a market charter.
Chipping Norton: 'Cēaping' (meaning 'market') + 'Norþ-tun' (north farm).
Kendal: Named for the River Kent and the valley (dale), but historically a key market town.
Goods and Resources
Some names hint at what was produced or found in the area:
Salford: 'Sealh-ford' – willow-tree ford, possibly indicating a place where willow was used for baskets or other crafts.
Sheffield: 'Scēfeld' – 'shed field' (perhaps referring to a place for shelter for sheep), but later became famous for steel.
Wallingford: 'Weala-ford' – ford of the Welsh, but also a significant trading hub.
Roads and Crossings
Places where important routes intersected or where goods were transported were also prime candidates for descriptive names:
Street (as mentioned, 'strata' for Roman roads).
Stamford: 'Stān-ford' – stony ford, implying a reliable crossing point.
Uxbridge: 'Wocsa's brycg' – Wocsa’s bridge, connecting routes.
These names are like little economic census reports from centuries past, giving us a glimpse into the bustling life of medieval and Roman Britain.
It really makes you appreciate the entrepreneurial spirit that has always been a part of human history!
---The Quirky Corner: Unpacking the Oddest UK Town Names
Alright, so we've covered the sensible, historical, and geographical roots of UK town names.
But let's be honest, some names just make you scratch your head and chuckle.
The UK has a fantastic collection of truly bizarre and hilarious place names, and often, their origins are just as entertaining as the names themselves.
Here are a few of my favorites, and a peek into their logic (or lack thereof!):
Wetwang (East Yorkshire): Sounds like a bad joke, right?
This gem likely comes from Old Norse 'Vættvangr', meaning "field of summons" or "wet field."
So, a rather mundane, slightly damp meeting place.
Still, it's a brilliant name to say out loud!
Pudding Norton (Norfolk): Nope, not where they bake fantastic puddings.
The "Pudding" part might come from an Old English personal name, or possibly refer to a swelling or round hill.
"Norton" is 'north settlement'.
A little less delicious than it sounds, alas.
Nether Wallop (Hampshire): This sounds like a place where medieval squabbles got really intense.
"Nether" simply means "lower."
"Wallop" comes from the Old English 'Waell-hop', meaning "valley of the spring" or "stream valley."
So, "Lower Stream Valley."
The name is far more exciting than its meaning!
Penistone (South Yorkshire): Oh, the snickers this one elicits!
Its origin is quite innocent: Old Welsh 'penn' (hill) + Old English 'tun' (settlement) + possibly an Anglo-Saxon personal name ending in '-ing'.
So, something like "the farm on the hill."
Proof that language evolves in unpredictable ways!
Lickey End (Worcestershire): Before you even think it, no, it's not what you think!
"Lickey" comes from Old English 'Lic-hæg', possibly referring to a place associated with dead bodies or a burial mound.
"End" simply means the end or boundary of a place.
A rather sombre origin for a name that now sounds so suggestive!
Upper Dicker & Lower Dicker (East Sussex): Sounds like an argument between two people named Dicker.
The word "dicker" here actually refers to a quantity of ten, especially ten hides of leather.
So, possibly a place where ten hides were traded or where there were ten plots of land.
Less of a quarrel, more of a counting lesson!
These names are a fantastic reminder that language is alive, constantly shifting and sometimes throwing up delightful anomalies.
They also show that our ancestors, while practical, sometimes created names that, to modern ears, are just plain funny.
It’s why I love exploring UK town names so much – you never know what linguistic treat you’ll stumble upon next!
---Why Does Any of This Matter? The Magic of UK Town Names
You might be thinking, "Okay, this is neat, but why should I care about some old town names?"
And that's a fair question!
But let me tell you, understanding the roots of UK town names is so much more than a dusty academic exercise.
It's about connecting with history in a truly tangible way.
A Living Map of History
Every time you drive past a sign for **Chester**, **Derby**, or **Canterbury**, you're literally passing a piece of history.
These names are like verbal archaeological sites.
They tell you about Roman legions, Anglo-Saxon farmers, Viking raiders, and Norman lords, all without opening a single history book.
It’s a living, breathing map of how Britain was settled and shaped by various cultures.
It brings history to life in the most unexpected and pervasive way.
Understanding the Landscape
Think about how many names are derived from natural features:
**fords** for river crossings,
**leys** for clearings in forests,
**combes** for valleys.
These names tell you what the land looked like centuries ago, before urbanization transformed much of the countryside.
It gives you a deeper appreciation for the original, wild beauty of these islands.
It’s like looking through an ancient Instagram filter, showing you the 'before' picture.
A Glimpse into Daily Life
Names like **Kingston** or **Shepherd's Bush** offer snippets of daily life:
where the king's estate was,
where shepherds gathered their flocks.
They tell us about the social structures, the occupations, and the daily routines of people long gone.
It's like listening to whispers from the past, detailing the mundane and the magnificent.
The Beauty of Language Evolution
For me, personally, it's also about the sheer beauty and resilience of language.
To see how Old English, Old Norse, Latin, and French have merged, mutated, and been preserved in these names is absolutely captivating.
It’s a linguistic tapestry, woven over millennia.
It shows how adaptable and enduring our communication truly is.
It's Just Plain Fun!
And let's not forget the pure joy of discovering an unexpectedly funny or peculiar place name!
It adds a layer of whimsy to travel and exploration.
Who doesn't love a good chuckle while planning a road trip?
So next time you're driving through a town, don't just see a name on a sign.
See a story.
See history.
See the ancient roots of our modern world, just waiting to be deciphered.
It makes every journey an adventure, every signpost a puzzle to solve.
For further exploration, check out these incredible resources:
---
Conclusion: The Unending Fascination of UK Town Names
So, there you have it!
A whirlwind tour through the incredible, often surprising, and sometimes hilarious origins of UK town names.
From the disciplined Roman **"castra"** to the cozy Anglo-Saxon **"hams"**, the robust Viking **"bys"**, and the ancient Celtic **"afons"**, every name tells a tale.
It’s a testament to the diverse tapestry of cultures that have woven themselves into the very fabric of Britain.
I hope this journey has opened your eyes, and perhaps, given you a new appreciation for those seemingly mundane signs you pass every day.
Because each one is a whisper from the past, a clue to what came before, and a reminder of the rich, multi-layered history embedded right beneath our feet, and right on our maps.
The next time you’re planning a trip or just driving down the road, take a moment to look at the name of your destination.
You might just discover a fascinating secret that’s been hiding in plain sight for centuries!
Happy deciphering, fellow history buffs!
UK town names, etymology, Roman Britain, Anglo-Saxon, Viking place-names
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