ARCHI UK Placename interpreter with maps

British place-names (actually most worldwide place names), are usually constructed from two or more elements see (List of English place-name meanings). One element might be an old personal name (eg Balham, (Baela's Homestead), while the others might refer to a local geographic feature or to an early function of the place (eg Chipping Norton, Market North Town). Place-names are often used in archaeology and history as clues to locate sites of archaeological and historic interest and are also helpful in understanding the development of the English Language.

Place-names, Genealogy and Family History

Regarding place-name genealogy and family history studies, approximately 30% of modern British surnames / family names are derived from place-names. These are known as toponymic / topographic surnames and may, in some cases, refer to a family's place of origin.

Use the search form above to if your surname matches to a British Place-name. It may help see where your ancestors might have come from.

Archaeologically significant place names are names of locations that are of particular importance to archaeologists due to the historical and cultural significance of the area. These names are often derived from the languages of the people who once lived in the area, and they can provide important clues about the culture and history of the region.

For example, English place names that are derived from the languages spoken by the early Anglo-Saxon inhabitants of the British Isles (ie Germanic / Scandanavian languages), often provide insights into the traditional lifestyles and practices of these early inhabitants of the British Islses. These names may describe features of the landscape, such as bodies of water, mountains, or valleys, and can give archaeologists a better understanding of how the land was used and perceived by these cultures.

Similarly, place names in Europe and other regions can also provide important insights into the history and culture of the area. Names of cities, towns, and villages may reveal information about the people who once lived in these places, such as their religious beliefs, social structure, or trade practices.

In some cases, archaeologists may use place names to locate ancient ruins or other archaeological sites. For example, the ancient city of Troy was believed to be a myth until the location was identified based on the descriptions of the city in ancient texts and mythology.

Overall, place names can be an important tool for archaeologists seeking to understand the history and culture of a region, as they provide valuable clues and insights into the lives of the people who once inhabited the area.

Get involved in a bit of investigative archaeology yourself and and use our ARCHI Place-name interpreter search form to find archaeologically significant place-names in the British Isles. The old maps, LiDAR maps and aerial photography generated will help you see the local geography. Following the links to ARCHI will show you the local archaeology too.

Did you know that approximately 30% of modern British (inc Scottish, Welsh and English) surnames are derived from place-names? Surnames which refer to a place-name often show geographic bias. So, you may find more Gledhills in the North of England, than in the South. Use the search form above to if your surname matches to a British Place-name. It may help see where your ancestors might have come from.

There are many surnames in the English language that are derived from place names. Here are a few examples:

1. York - This surname is derived from the city of York in northern England.

2. Kent - This surname is derived from the county of Kent in southeastern England.

3. Lancaster - This surname is derived from the city of Lancaster in northwestern England.

4. Devon - This surname is derived from the county of Devon in southwestern England.

5. Essex - This surname is derived from the county of Essex in southeastern England.

6. Suffolk - This surname is derived from the county of Suffolk in eastern England.

7. Somerset - This surname is derived from the county of Somerset in southwestern England.

8. Warwick - This surname is derived from the town of Warwick in central England.

9. Lincoln - This surname is derived from the city of Lincoln in eastern England.

10. Winchester - This surname is derived from the city of Winchester in southern England.

These are just a few examples, but there are many more surnames in the English language that are derived from place names.

This is summed up in the opening chapter of Professor Jonathan Culpeper's book History of English

Regarding the development of the English Language, the most important factor in the development of English has been the arrival of successive waves of settlers and invaders speaking different languages. The history of place-names in Britain is closely connected to the presence of various languages at various points in time.

Place-names can provide valuable insights into the development of the English language. The names of cities, towns, villages, and geographical features like rivers, mountains, and valleys often reflect the history of the people who have lived in a particular area and the languages they have spoken. Here are some examples:

1. Celtic influence: Many place-names in England come from Celtic languages spoken by the ancient Britons. For example, the names of rivers like Avon, which means "river" in Welsh, and Usk, which means "water" in the same language, have Celtic roots.
2. Roman influence: The Romans invaded Britain in 43 AD and left their mark on the English language through Latin-derived words and place-names. For example, the name of the city of London comes from the Roman name Londinium.
3. Anglo-Saxon influence: The Anglo-Saxons, who spoke Old English, arrived in England in the 5th century AD and established their own kingdoms. Many of their place-names have survived to this day, such as the town of Oxford, which means "ford of the oxen," and the city of Winchester, which means "fortress of the Gewisse," a tribe that lived in the area.
4. Viking influence: The Vikings, who spoke Old Norse, began raiding and settling in England in the 9th century AD. They left their mark on the English language through words like "sky," "window," and "egg," as well as many place-names in the north and east of England, such as York, which was originally Jorvik.
5. Norman influence: In 1066, William the Conqueror, who spoke Norman French, invaded England and brought with him many French-speaking nobles. They left their mark on the English language through words like "government," "justice," and "parliament," as well as many place-names, such as the town of Nottingham, which comes from the Old English "Snotengaham," meaning "the homestead of Snot's people."

Overall, place-names reflect the complex history of the English language and the diverse peoples who have contributed to it over time. By studying place-names, we can gain a better understanding of how the English language has evolved and changed over the centuries.

The search form takes wildcards for more powerful searches which are detailed below. Try them and see what you come up with.

Literal place-name search

Here you search for exact matches of a place-name.

Performing a search with the word "bury" would find all place-names of that name only containing the word "bury", but not Oldbury etc.

Root place-name search

Here you search for matches of a place-name plus place-names starting with that word.

For example, Performing an element search with "stow*", would find, in addition to all "stow" place-names, other place-names starting with the word "stow", such as Stowmarket, but NOT not Walthamstow.

Terminal place-name search

Here one searches for all place-names ending with the element.

Performing an element search with "stow*", would find, in addition to all "stow" place-names, other names containing the word "stow" at the end of the name such as Walthamstow, but NOT not Stowmarket.

Element place-name search

Here one searches for all place-names where the search term is in the middle of the place's name.

Performing an element search with "*bur*", would find, in addition to finding all place-names of the name "burg", other names containing the element such as Edinburgh.

Boolean place-name search

Using this method one can search for place-names which include or exclude certain elements or place-names.

Performing an element search with "*burgh*" in the Search Element 1 Box 1 and something like "little" in Search Element Box 2.

Sterminal place-name search

Here one would enter the character or characters which are at the beginning of a place-name together with a character or characters which are at the end of the place-name.

[This search not yet implemented]

brough* / braugh*: The place-name elements 'brough / braugh' has beem associated with the locations of Roman towns (eg Brough, East Yorkshire; Braughing, East Hertfordshire).

castle*: The place-name element castle can refer to the presence of a Roman Fort (eg Castleshaw, West Yorkshire).

*by: Often, at the end of a place-name, this place-name element refers to a place within the territory ruled by the Vikings in Early England.

bury: Derived from a Burgh which was a fortified enclosure.

stow: This often refers to a very early meeting place, often of religious importance at that time.

chipping: Derived from the Old English céping, "a market, a market-place”. This word is also associated with céapan (to buy) and céap (to deal).

stan: This place-name element is often a commemoration of Roman occupation. For example, Stanstead probably refers to a stone (Roman) villa or settlement.

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