West Idioms

Several words have become part of the language in being used in phrases. Last time we looked at ‘ear’ and now look at ‘west’.

West Country, in referring to my favourite part of England in Devon and Cornwall, has been used since the late 14th century.

West Coast, as in that shore of the USA, is first seen in 1850.

West End (of London), known since 1776. West-Enders have been named such since 1833.

West Side, the part of Manhattan which gave a name to a famous musical, could not have been written before 1858 as that was the first year anyone recorded such.

Go west, as in dying, became popular during the First World War, but may have been in use for more than two thousand years. In 17th century London the phrase was used to mean ‘a hanging’, almost certainly a reference to Tyburn.

West Indies have been known since around 1650 – although West Indians is not seen until 1928.

Mae West, slang for a inflatable life jacket, is first found in 1940. It takes its name from a buxom film star of the same name, and you can work the connection out for yourself.

West Bank, the former Jordanian territory, has been known as such since 1967.

Westerns, as in films or books about the Old West in the US, is first seen in 1909.

Western omelettes, first recorded in 1922, contain ham and onions.

Nobody was westernized until 1837.

Westerly winds have been described since the 15th century.

Nothing is found for southwesterlies until 1833, although the sou’wester (protective nautical coat) is seen thjree years later.

Northwesterlies have been known since the 14th century.

Northwest Passage is found in a document since 1600.

Friday the 13th

Friday 13th April 1832. The following week the local press reported the sad death of a groom, he in charge of three horses belonging to “a most worthy gentleman” passing through the city on his way to London. The youth was described as “a fine, handsome, and intelligent young man of the lower classes” – amazing how wonderful he was and yet they didn’t bother to find out his name – was obviously not sober before he arrived in Lichfield but was most inebriated by the time he left the city. As time passed his “drunkenness increased its despotic tyranny over him” – until 10 miles down the road he fell from his horse and to his death. He died from a fractured skull at 10am on the following morning, Saturday.

Tuesday 31st March 1830 and the coach named the Standard was en route from London to Liverpool. Leaving Birmingham for Lichfield, the passengers soon became concerned for the coach either travelled at a slow trot or a gallop, without seeming due care and attention being paid to the road conditions or safety of the occupants.

As they descended the hill of New Allesley Road from the toll gate, their speed increased until they entered through the city gate at a gallop. Coming to Spon Lane and due to turn towards St John’s Church the driver lost control of the now wildly galloping horses and missed the turn. Attempting to make the turn at this speed he only succeeded in overturning the coach, it crashing on to its right side. Six passengers were travelling outside (at half price) and a single passenger within.

After the crash four passengers were taken to the house of Reverend W Grindon, one seemingly lifeless and put to bed as blood was coming from his right ear – he died at 4pm the following afternoon having spent the interim in sheer agony. A shoemaker from Birmingham named Henderson had a dislocated shoulder; a seafaring man named Steele had many contusions to his head and body – both men were taken to a nearby public house to await treatment. Captain Ingram of the West Indies Regiment was the sole passenger travelling inside the coach, he received a broken collarbone and taken to the Kings Head Inn. The other passengers were not greatly injured and resumed their journey. Both coachman and guard received minor injuries.

Edmund Gennings

10th December 1591 and. Edmund Gennings of Lichfield chose the wrong time to return to London. He had disappeared to Rheims aged sixteen after converting to Catholicism. Arrested on 7th November 1591 after being reported for saying mass in at house at Grays Inn, he was hanged, drawn and quartered on December 10th outside that same building. The plaque on the wall states he was disembowelled while still alive.

South Africa Place Names Explained

Having blogged samples of my books on English place names and also examined the etymologies of the nations of the world and their respective capitals I thought it time I cast my net a little wider. As English place names share some links to other tongues it would be interesting to see if any of the elements contributing to our place names could be found elsewhere. Continuing an alphabetical tour of the world and a look at the largest South African cities.

Johannesburg is clearly 'the burg of a man named Johannes', however just which Johannes is a controversial question as there are several contenders including Christiaan Johannes Joubert, Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, Johannes Meyer, and Johannes Rissik. Perhaps Joubert, who had a park named after him, and Rissik, who had a street named after him, are the leading contenders.

Cape Town is of obvious derivation for it is a town on the capr of Africa. Of some interest is the origin of 'cape', initially used to refer to the cloak with a hood, which shares its origin with 'cap' and is ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European word kaput which means 'head'.

Durban was named for Benjamin D'Urban (1777-1849), a British general and colonial administrator who served as governor of what was then known as Cape Colony. The Zulu name is eThekwini from itheku meaning 'bay' or perhaps 'lagoon'.

Pretoria was named for Andries Wilhelmus Jacobus Pretorius (1798-1853), leader of the Boers in their creation of the South African Republic.

Port Elizabeth was named for Elizabeth Frances (nee Markham), wife of Eufane Shaw Donkin, acting Governor of Cape Colony.

Vereeniging's name is derived from the Dutch meaning 'association' or perhaps 'union'.

Soshanguve is a modern name and an acronym of SOtho, SHAngaan, NGUni and VEnda. These combine to show the many ethnic groups integrating here.

East London was originally known as Port Rex, a reference to colonial days, but later renamed after the British capital. Click and scroll down to see what I've previously said about London and the origins of its name.

Bloemfontein is Dutch for 'fountain of flowers' or 'blooming fountain'.

Pietermaritzburg's name, like Johannesburg, is disputed. Some maintain it comes from a combination of Piet Retief, a former Voortrekker leader, and Gert Maritz, also a Voortrekker leader and wagon builder. Others point out it could also refer to the Piet alone, as his full name was Pieter Maurits Retief, and thus Piet Maurits Burg would also work.

Note the spellings of the places are English as the piece is written in English.

Cathedral Cities of England

It has been a couple of months since I looked at place names, even longer since I looked at the origins of English place names. Thus recently having popped in to look at some architecture - Pugin it was, not particularly uplifting unlike the majority I have seen - I thought it time to look at some of England's place names through the cathedral cities. This is also a thinly disguised way to remind everyone of my books on place names covering England.

Canterbury - this is 'the fortified place of the people of Kent'. Further information can be found in my book East Kent Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Bath - 'the place at the Roman baths'. Further information can be found in my book Somerset Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Wells - 'the springs'. Further information can be found in my book Somerset Place Names.

Birmingham - 'the homestead of the family or followers of a man called Boerma'. Further information can be found in my book Warwickshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Bristol - 'assembly place by the bridge'. Further information can be found in my book Somerset Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Chelmsford - 'the ford of a man named Ceolmaer'. Further information can be found in my book Essex Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Chichester - 'the former Roman strognhold of a man called Cissa'. Further information can be found in my book West Sussex Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Coventry - 'the tree of a man named Cofa'. Further information can be found in my book Warwickshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Derby - 'the farmstead where deer are seen'. Further information can be found in my book Derbyshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Ely - 'the district where eels can be found'. Further information can be found in my book Cambridgeshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Exeter - 'the former Roman stronghold on the river Exe', this a British river name meaning simply 'water'. Further information can be found in my book South Devon Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Gloucester - 'the former Roman stronghold known as Glevum', this a Romano-British place name meaning 'the bright place'. Further information can be found in my book Gloucestershire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Guildford - ''ford by the gold-coloured hill'. Further information can be found in my book Surrey Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Ipswich - 'the trading centre of a man named Gip'. Further information can be found in my book Suffolk Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Hereford - 'the ford capable of permitting an army to cross'. Further information can be found in my book Herefordshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Leicester - 'the former Roman stronghold of the Ligore'. Further information can be found in my book Leicestershire and Rutland Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Lichfield - 'the grey wood'. Further information can be found in my book Staffordshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Lincoln - 'the Romany colony by the pool'. Further information can be found in my book Lincolnshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

London - an uncertain name but maybe 'the landing place of man named Londo'. Further information can be found in my book Middlesex Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Norwich - 'the northern trading centre'. Further information can be found in my book Norfolk Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Oxford - 'the ford used by oxen'. Further information can be found in my book Oxfordshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Peterborough - 'the borough of St Peter'. Further information can be found in my book Cambridgeshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Portsmouth - 'the mouth of the harbour'. Further information can be found in my book Hampshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Rochester - 'the former Roman stronghold known as Hrofi', the British place name meaning 'the walled town with bridges'. Further information can be found in my book East Kent Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

St Albans - 'the holy place of St Alban'. Further information can be found in my book Hertfordshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Salisbury - 'the fortified place known as Sorvio', the British place name of uncertain origins. Further information can be found in my book Wiltshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Truro - 'place of turbulent water'. Further information can be found in my book Cornwall Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Winchester - 'the former Roman stronghold known as Venta', the British place name meaning 'the chief place'. Further information can be found in my book Hampshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Worcester - 'the former Roman stronghold of the Weogora tribe', this British people taking their name from their home being at the 'winding river'. Further information can be found in my book Worcestershire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

York - ''the estate marked by yew trees'. Further information can be found in my book North Yorkshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Blackburn - 'the dark stream'. Further information can be found in my book Lancashire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Bradford - 'the broad ford'. Further information can be found in my book West Yorkshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Carlisle - 'fortified place of man named Luguvalos'. Further information can be found in my book Cumbria Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Chester - 'the former Roman stronghold'. Further information can be found in my book Cheshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Durham - 'the island with a hill'. Further information can be found in my book County Durham Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Liverpool - 'the dark-coloured pool'. Further information can be found in my book Lancashire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Manchester - 'the former Roman stronghold at the breast-shaped hill'. Further information can be found in my book Lancashire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Newcastle - 'the new castle'. Further information can be found in my book Northumberland Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Ripon - 'the territory of the Hrype tribe'. Further information can be found in my book North Yorkshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Sheffield - 'the open land on the river Sheaf', a river name meaning 'boundary stream'. Further information can be found in my book South Yorkshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Southwell - 'the southern spring'. Further information can be found in my book Nottinghamshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

Wakefield - 'open land where wakes are held'. Further information can be found in my book West Yorkshire Place Names. Available both in print and as an ebook.

London Underground (Part 4)

I still find I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, now broadcasting series fifty-something, one of the most amusing of radio programmes. Astonishingly, one of the rounds which continues to endure is the delightfully entitled Mornington Crescent. For those who are unaware, the teams spoof strategy games as they alternately name London Underground Stations, the object of the game being to end with Mornington Crescent.
While listening to the list of names, my toponymist's mind began to contemplate the origins of the place names. Here is the result of a little 'digging', the final part of a list given in alphabetical order and which is certainly not complete.

Ravenscourt Park - when the manor house of the estate was rebuilt after being purchased by Thomas Corbett in 1747, it was renamed Ravenscourt, probably to reflect the raven appearing in the new owner's coat of arms.

Rayners Lane - is on land purchased by the Rayner family in the early years of the nineteenth century.

Redbridge - named for an old bridge across the River Roding, recorded as such for the first time in 1777.

Regents Park - named after the Prince Regent, later George IV.

Richmond - a transferred name, brought here by Henry VIII when he built his palace here. The original Richmond is in Yorkshire, an Old French name meaning 'the strong hill'.

Rickmansworth - 'the enclosure of a man called Ricmaer'.

Roding Valley - is not strictly named from the River Roding, for that was named by a process known as back-formation from the place names, of which there are several, telling of 'the settlement of the family or followers of a man called Hrotha'.

Rotherhithe - 'the landing place for cattle'.

Royal Albert - the dock was named after Queen Victoria's consort.

Royal Oak - takes the second most common pub name in the land, derived from a famous episode in English history when Charles II and his aide Colonel Carless hid in the Boscobel Oak to evade Parliamentarian soldiers following defeat at the Battle of Worcester.

Royal Victoria - as with the Royal Albert, is named after the monarchy of the day.

Ruislip, Ruislip Gardens, South Ruislip, West Ruislip and Ruislip Manor - an unusual place name describing 'the leaping place where the rushes grow', that place being the river here.

Russell Square - the Russell family, dukes of Bedford, held land here.

Seven Sisters - named from the seven elms which were planted in a cirlce on what was previously known as Page Green.

Shadwell - 'the shallow stream' was previously known as Shadfleet 'the shallow tidal stream'.

Shepherds Bush - exactly what it says 'the bush marking the place of the shepherd'.

Shoreditch - a place name meaning 'the ditch by a bank or slope'.

South Ealing - the 'southern settlement of the family or followers of a man called Gilla'.

South Harrow - from hearg 'the southern heathen place of worship'.

South Kensington - the 'southern place associated with a man called Cynesige'.

South Kenton - 'the southern estate associated with a man called Cena'.

South Quay - is self-explanatory

South Wimbledon - a basic name meaning 'the hill of a man called Wynnmanmn'

South Woodford - 'the ford by a wood'.

Southfields - is 'the southern open lands'.

Southgate - refers to the way to Enfield Chase in 'the southern entranceway'.

Southwark - the 'southern defensive feature'.

St. Johns Wood - was named for it was held by the Knights of St John of Jerusalem.

St. Pauls - is named after the famous cathedral, one of London's best known landmarks.

Stamford Brook - is 'the hill by the sandy ford'.

Stanmore - refers to its location at 'the stony pool'.

Stepney Green - began life as 'the landing place of a man called Stybba'.

Stockwell - tells us it was 'the spring marked by a tree stump'.

Stonebridge Park - is self-explanatory.

Stratford - a common place name always from straet ford 'the ford on a Roman road'.

Sudbury Hill and Sudbury Town - share a name which describes 'the southern fortified place'.

Swiss Cottage - is named from a nearby pub built in 1803, originally called the Swiss Tavern and later the Swiss Cottage.

Temple - the name comes from the Knights Templar, who once held this land.

Theydon Bois - from 'the valley where thatching materials are obtained', with the addition of the de Bosco or de Boys family, lords of this manor by the twelfth century.

Tooting Bec - what began as the 'settlement of the family or followers of a man called Tota' saw the later addition of the landholders, the Norman Abbey of Bec-Hellouin.

Tottenham Court Road - 'the nook of land of a man called Tota'.

Totteridge & Whetstone - respectively 'the ridge of land of a man called Tata' and 'the place where whetstones are obtained'.

Tower Gateway and Tower Hill - both refer to the nearby Tower of London.

Tufnell Park - named after William Tufnell, lord of the manor of Barnsbury by 1753.

Upminster Bridge - refers to 'the higher minster or church'.

Upton Park - 'the higher farmstead', here 'higher' is probably used to indicate it was of greater importance.

Uxbridge - 'the bridge of the tribe called Wixan'.

Vauxhall - 'the manor of a man called Falkes'.

Victoria - officially it is named after Victoria Street, although the latter was named after the nation's longest reiging monarch.

Walthamstow Central - a place name where the meaning has never been agreed - suggestions include 'the place where guests are welcome' and 'the holy place of a woman called Wilcume'.

Wanstead - a name meaning 'the place by the tumour-shaped hill'.

Wapping - tells of 'the settlement of the family or followers of a man called Wappa'.

Waterloo - named from the mainline station, itself after the famous battle.

Watford - is found in several places, always referring to 'the ford used when hunting'.

Wembley Central and Wembley Park - share a name coming from 'the woodland clearing of a man called Wemba'.

West Acton - the 'westerly farmstead by the oak trees'.

West Brompton - the westerly farmstead where broom trees grow'.

West Finchley - which tells of 'the westerly woodland clearing frequented by finches'.

West Ham - 'the westerly homestead'.

West Hampstead - despite the difference from the previous name is also 'the westerly homestead'.

West Harrow - from hearg 'the western heathen place of worship'.

West India Quay - was named after the dock which was almost exclusively used to berth vessels from the West Indies.

West Kensington - 'the western place associated with a man called Cynesige'.

Westbourne Park - 'the western stream'.

Westferry - speaks for itself.

Westminster - again, a self-explanatory name.

White City - takes the name given to the stadium and exhibition centre built in 1908.

Whitechapel - 'the white church', indicating it was built of stone rather than the usual wood thus appearing bright in colour.

Willesden Green and Willesden Junction - is 'the hill with a spring'.

Wimbledon and Wimbledon Park - 'the hill of a man called Wynnmanmn'.

Wood Green - not 'the green wood' but 'the wood by a village green'.

Woodford - speaks for itself as 'the ford by the woodland'.

Incidentally, Mornington Crescent was originally to be called Seymour Street (the surname of William Portman's grandmother, Portman having developed the area) would make a terrible name for a round of I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.

London Underground (Part 3)

I still find I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, now broadcasting series fifty-something, one of the most amusing of radio programmes. Astonishingly, one of the rounds which continues to endure is the delightfully entitled Mornington Crescent. For those who are unaware, the teams spoof strategy games as they alternately name London Underground Stations, the object of the game being to end with Mornington Crescent.
While listening to the list of names, my toponymist's mind began to contemplate the origins of the place names. Here is the result of a little 'digging', the third of four parts of a list given in alphabetical order and which is certainly not complete.

Ladbroke Grove - is named after the 18th century landowner Richard Ladbroke, a farmer.

Lambeth North - is from lamb hyth 'the landing place for lambs', we must assume they were being taken to graze rather than for sale or slaughter as it would have to be a fairly common occurrence for the place name to develop and stick.

Lancaster Gate - named after the gates to Kensington Gardens, commemorating Queen Victoria as Duke of Lancaster.

Latimer Road - is named after the Latymer family.

Leicester Square - named after Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester purchased the land here in the seventeenth century.

Leyton and Leytonstone take the name of 'the farmstead on the River Lee', itself a Celtic river name describing 'the light river'.

Limehouse - refers to the lime kilns or 'lime oast' located by the river here which were associated with the potteries. This is not a recent name, the first reference of the name dates from 1356.

London Bridge - is self-explanatory.

Loughton - is 'the farmstead associated with a man called Luca'.

Maida Vale - took its name from an inn, itself named after John Stuart, Count of Maida named after the 1806 Battle of Maida.

Manor House - is named after the Manor House public house. It stood at a turnpike and was named for it being in sight of Copt Hall, the Manor House of the Manor of Brownswood.

Marble Arch - is named after the nearby Marble Arch, designed by John Nash.

Marylebone - this name means 'the place by St Mary's stream', itself taking the dedication of of the fifteenth century church.

Mile End - tells us it was 'a mile away', specifically from Aldgate in the city.

Mill Hill East - unusually for a place name this is not a watermill, this is 'the hill with a windmill'.

Monument - named after the Monument to the Great Fire of London.

Moor Park - self-explanatory, although the addition of Park is quite recent.

Moorgate - is 'the way to the moorland' from Old English mor geat.

Morden - probably 'the farmstead on the moor', although 'the great farmstead' cannot be discounted.

Mornington Crescent - the name which started it all off, the Earl of Mornington was the brother of the Duke of Wellington.

Mudchute - saw the spoil from the dock constructed at Millwall brought here by means of a conveyor belt, literally 'a mud chute'.

Neasden - describes 'the nose-shaped hill'.

North Acton - 'the northern farmstead by the oak trees'.

North Ealing - the 'northern settlement of the family or followers of a man called Gilla'.

North Greenwich - the 'green port or harbour'.

North Harrow - from hearg 'the northern heathen place of worship'.

North Wembley 'the northern woodland clearing of a man called Wemba'.

Northfields - exactly what it seems 'the northern open land'.

Northolt - 'the northern woodland'.

Northwick Park - 'the northern dairy farm'.

Northwood and Northwood Hills - share a name meaning 'the northern wood'.

Notting Hill Gate - 'the place associated with a man called Cnotta'.

Oakwood - self-explanatory,

Old Street - was referred to as 'old' in the fourteenth century and may pre-date the Roman occupation.

Osterley - means 'the woodland clearing with a sheepfold'.

Oval - takes the name of Surrey's cricket ground, itself describing its shape.

Oxford Circus - from Oxford Street, itself recalling the fields around were purchased by the Earl of Oxford.

Paddington - 'the farmstead associated with a man called Padda'.

Park Royal - named for the showgrounds opened in 1903 by the Royal Agricultural Society as a permanent exhibition.

Parsons Green - named after the village green near Parsons Park, where the vicar of Fulham had his home.

Perivale - still can be seen as 'the valley of the pear trees'.

Piccadilly Circus - the 'circus' is a Latin term for a circle, while the name is first documented in 1626 in Pickadilly Hall. This was the home of one Robert Baker, named for he was a tailor known for selling piccadills, a kind of collar.

Pimlico - is traditionally held to be named after Ben Pimlico, proprietor of nut-brown ale aat his tea garden.

Pinner - 'the peg-shaped, pointed ridge'.

Plaistow - a fairly common field or minor place name describing 'the place of play or sport'.

Poplar - not surprising to find 'the place at the poplar tree'.

Preston Road - a common place name describing 'the farmstead associated with the priests'.

Pudding Mill Lane - comes from Pudding Mill River, itself held to be named from St Thomas' Mill, the water mill said to appear to be shaped like a pudding. It was certainly recorded by the alternative name of Pudding Mill.

Putney Bridge - 'the landing place of a man called Putta'.

Queens Park - a region developed by Solomon Barnett and named shortly after the Dimond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

Queensway - is named for Queen Victoria, on the throne when the area was developed.

London Underground (Part 2)

I still find I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, now broadcasting series fifty-something, one of the most amusing of radio programmes. Astonishingly, one of the rounds which continues to endure is the delightfully entitled Mornington Crescent. For those who are unaware, the teams spoof strategy games as they alternately name London Underground Stations, the object of the game being to end with Mornington Crescent.
While listening to the list of names, my toponymist's mind began to contemplate the origins of the place names. Here is the result of a little 'digging', the second of four parts of a list given in alphabetical order and which is certainly not complete.

Ealing Broadway and Ealing Common - both share the 'settlement of the family or followers of a man called Gilla'. Note it is named after those associated with Gilla and not the man himself, telling us it was named posthumously.

Earls Court - named for it being held by the Vere family, earls of Oxford.

East Acton - 'the eastern farmstead by the oak trees'.

East Finchley. Finchley Central and Finchley Road - all from finc leah 'the woodland clearing frequented by finches'.

East India - is named for the associated with the East India Company's trade when this was London's busy docklands.

East Putney - 'the eastern landing place of a man called Putta'.

Eastcote - 'the eastern cottages'.

Edgwareand Edgware Road - both share an origin of 'the weir or fishing enclosure of a man called Ecgi'.

Elephant & Castle - is named after a famous coaching inn which once stood here, itself named after the coat of arms of the Worshipful Company of Cutlers. The image of an elephant with a castle on its back linked to the cutlers through the use of elephant ivory for the cutlery handles.

Elm Park - is as simpleas it sounds, the area had numerous elm trees.

Embankment - another simple name, the embankment shoring up the natural bank of the River Thames.

Epping - a quite ahort name considering earlier forms show this was 'the settlement of the people of the ridge which was used as a look-out point'.

Euston and Euston Square - share a name from Euston Hall, the Suffolk home of the Fitzroy family who held this area by 1852.

Farringdon - began life as 'the fern-covered hill'.

Finsbury Park - was 'the manor of a man called Finn' by 1235.

Fulham Broadway - 'the hemmed-in land of a man called Fulla'.

Gants Hill - takes the name of landholder Richard le Gant and his family, here by 1285.

Golders Green - named from the Godyere family, here before the fourteenth century.

Goodge Street - named after the landholder from the early eighteenth century, a carpenter by the name of John Goodge.

Great Portland Street - named after the dukes of Portland, who owned much of this area in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Greenford - is indeed 'the place at the green ford', here green being used to suggest the approaches were overgrown.

Hainault - a name first recorded in the thirteenth century, this describes the 'monastic woodland'.

Hammersmith - really does refer to 'the place of the forge or blacksmith'.

Hampstead - 'the homestead'.

Hanger Lane - is nothing sinister, this is from hangra 'the wooded slope'.

Harlesden - 'the farmstead of a man called Heoruwulf or Herewulf'.

Harrow-on-the-Hill - comes from hearg 'a heathen place of worship'.

Hatton Cross - began as 'the farmstead on the heath'.

Heathrow - began as 'the row of houses by the heath'.

Hendon Central - 'the place at the high hill'.

High Barnet - is from baernet 'the place cleared by burning'.

High Street Kensington - 'the place associated with a man called Cynesige'.

Highbury & Islington - two places meaning 'the high stronghold' where 'high' is probably used as 'important' rather than elevetion, and 'the hill of a man called Gisla', respectively.

Highgate - 'high' as in important and Old English geat 'way, entrance'.

Hillingdon - 'the hill of a man called Hilda'.

Holborn - tells of 'the stream in or of a hollow'.

Holland Park - after Henry Rich, 1st Earl of Holland who inherited Holland House, although the house and grounds were not named such until 1719, some years after his death.

Holloway Road - there are roads of this name in many towns and cities around the country, all are ancient routes and all tell us they were very busy as they had been worn away by the constant passage of wheels, hooves and feet - quite literally 'a hollow way'.

Hornchurch - describes 'the church with horn-like gables'.

Hounslow Central, Hounslow East and Hounslow West - share a name meaning either 'the mound or tumulus of the hound' or, should the first element be a personal name, '.... of a man called Hund'.

Hyde Park Corner - is at a corner of Hyde Park, itself named from a 'hide', a Saxon piece of land which is not really a measurement of area as it is defined as 'the land required to support on family for one year', where there are clearly a number of variables.

Ickenham - 'the homestead of a man called Icca'.

Kennington - 'the tun or farmstead associated with a man called Cena'.

Kensal Green - is 'the king's wood'.

Kensington (Olympia) - began as a settlement known as 'the farmstead associated with a man called Cynesige'.

Kentish Town - is a surname, the Kentish family recorded here by 1208.

Kenton - 'the estate associated with a man called Cena'.

Kew Gardens - is a combination of Old French kai 'quay, landing place' and Old English hoh 'spur of land'.

Kilburn and Kilburn Park - from cu burna 'the stream frequented by cows'.

Kings Cross St. Pancras - remembers the memorail cross erected to George IV and a church dedicated to St Pancras.

Kingsbury - here burh is used in the later sense and tells of 'the kings manor'.

Knightsbridge - from cniht brycg 'the bridge of the young men'.

London Underground

I still find I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, now broadcasting series fifty-something, one of the most amusing of radio programmes. One of the rounds which continues to endure is the delightfully entitled Mornington Crescent. For those who are unaware, the teams spoof strategy games as they alternately name London Underground Stations, the object of the game being to end with Mornington Crescent.
While listening to the list of names, my toponymist's mind began to contemplate the origins of the place names. Here is the result of a little 'digging', the first of four parts of a list given in alphabetical order and which is certainly not complete.

Acton Town - 'the farmstead marked by oak trees'.

Aldgate - 'the older geat or way'.

Aldgate East - 'the old way to the east'.

Alperton - 'the farmstead associated with a man called Ealhbeorht'.

Amersham - 'the homestead of a man called Egmonde'.

Angel - named after the Angel Inn, which dates from around 1638.

Archway - is named after the Archway Tower, a 195 feet high architectural misdemeanour from 1963.

Arnos Grove - an area associated with the fourteenth century family of Margery Arnold who lived nearby.

Arsenal - the Woolwich Arsenal gave its name to the famous football club who have, in turn, given a name to the station.

Baker Street - after builder William Baker who laid the street out in the eighteenth century.

Balham - 'the smooth or rounded enclosure'.

Bank - exit to street level and facing is the Bank of England.

Barbican - comes from Latin barbecana 'a fortified gateway'.

Barking - 'the settlement of the family or followers of a man called Berica'.

Barons Court - not after Earl's Court but inspired by the Baronscourt estate in Ireland, connected with Sir William Palliser developed thus area. Palliser Road and many of the side roads are named after members of the family.

Bayswater - 'the watering place for horses'.

Becontree - 'the tree of a man called Beohha'.

Belsize Park - 'the beautiful seat or residence'.

Bermondsey - 'the dry ground in a marsh of a man called Beornmund'.

Bethnal Green - 'the nook of land of a man called Blitha'.

Blackfriars - is named after the Blackfriars Bridge, itself taking the colour of the habits worn by those who lived at the former Dominican Priory here.

Blackhorse Road - is named after a former inn, the Black Horse.

Bond Street - was developed by Sir Thomas Bond.

Boston Manor - is the manor house built in the seventeenth century on an area already known as 'the tun or farmstead of a man called Bord'.

Bow Church and Bow Road - named for the road and the district, it ultimately takes its name from a bridge. Tradition has it that in 1110 the River Lee was being crossed on horseback by Queen Matilda, wife of Henry I, when she took a tumble. Immediately she ordered the building of a bow-shaped bridge with three arches. Whether the tumble is true or not, the distinctive shape of the bridge is undoubtedly the origin of the place name.

Brent Cross - named after the River Brent, itself a Celtic river name meaning 'the holy one'.

Brixton - 'the stone of a man called Beorhtsige', the stone is probably a marker showing the meeting place of the local Hundred.

Bromley-by-Bow - while 'Bow' is explained above, Bromley is a common name describing 'the woodland clearing by the broom trees'.

Buckhurst Hill - either 'the wooded hill where he-goats graze' or 'the wooded hill associated with a man called Bucca'.

Burnt Oak - is a marker, a large tree would stand out for a very long time if burned so as to kill the outer living portion but keeping the central heartwood intact.

Caledonian Road - named after the Royal Caledonion Asylum, built for the children of poor Scots families.

Camden Town - the place is named after Earl Camden, who held the manor before his death in 1794.

Canada Water - takes its name from the lake, a section of the former docklands where almost every vessel that berthed here came from Canada.

Canary Wharf - again taking its name from the former docklands, itself taking the name from berth number 32 of the West Wood Quay. This was operated by a Fruit Lines Ltd, a subsidiary of Fred Olsen Lines for the Mediterranean and Canary Island fruit trade.

Canning Town - was after Charles John Canning, the first Viceroy of India who ended the Indian Mutiny, thus in the news around the time this area saw major development.

Cannon Street - nothing to do with gunfire or the church, this is a corruption of 'candle wright', hence where candles were produced and/or sold from at least the twelfth century.

Canons Park - this refers to the canons of the Augustinian Priory of St Bartholomew in Smithfield, London.

Chalfont & Latimer - from the four villages it serves, Chalfont St Giles, Chalfont St Peter and Little Chalfont, all sharing an origin of 'the spring frequented by calves'; while Latimer has a manorial origin, the Latymer family being here by the fourteenth century.

Chalk Farm - may seem to refer to chalky soil, however the name is a corruption of its Saxon name referring to 'cold cottages'.

Chancery Lane - comes from the road being home to the office of the Master of the Rolls of the Chancery from 1290.

Charing Cross - named after the cierring or 'bend' (here in the River Thames) with the addition of the Queen Eleanour Cross erected here in the fourteenth century.

Chesham - comes from ceastel hamm 'the hemmed in land marked by a heap of stones'.

Chigwell - 'the spring or stream of a man called Cicca'.

Chiswick Park - from Old English ciese wic, the suffix should correctly be defined as 'specialised farm' even though it is almost always a reference to a dairy farm. Here the first element simply confirms it, for this is 'the farm where cheese is produced'.

Chorleywood - 'the clearing of the freemen or peasants'.

Clapham Common, Clapham North and Clapham South - all share a name speaking of 'the homestead near the hills'.

Cockfosters - which began life known for being 'the home or estate of the chief forester'.

Colindale - takes the name of a family who were here by the sixteenth century.

Colliers Wood - no surprise to find it is named from a wood, itself nothing to do with coalminers but referring to charcoal burners.

Covent Garden - was named for it being walled off to isolate arable lands for Westminster Abbey from around 1200, when it was known as 'the Gardens of the Abbey and the Convent'.

Croxley - was 'the woodland clearing of a man called Krokr', a Scandinavian personal name.

Dagenham East and Dagenham Heathway - share a name coming from 'the homestead of a man called Daecca'.

Debden - from Old English deop denu 'the deep valley'.