Kent Place Names

[Smiffy]

[Smiffy]

[MartinR]

Hi Smiffy.  That origin for Sittingbourne has been disputed.  Hastead (History of Kent, 1790s) states that  "Sittingbourne was anciently written Sedingbourne, in Saxon, Saedingburga, i.e. the hamlet by the bourne or small stream."  The river which flows under Crown Quay Lane is called the Bourne River.  See http://www.sittingbourne-museum.co.uk/Name Sittingbourne.htm

[Smiffy]

Sittingbourne

Old English s?dinga burne "Stream of the slope-dwellers"
Sidingeburn - 1200
Sidingburne - c.1230
Sithingeburne - 1262
Sittingborne - 1610
Sittingbourne is situated on the lower slope of a ridge near to Milton creek.


Bredgar

From the Old English br?d g?ra "Broad gore or wedge-shaped piece of land"
Bradegare - c.1100
Bradgare - 1205
Bredgar - 1610


Wormshill

From the Old English W?denes hyll "Woden's hill"
Godeselle - 1086
Godeshelle - c.1100
Wodnesell' - 1232
Wodneshill', Worneshelle, Wormeshille - 1270
Wormshill - 1610
Although dedicated to the god Woden, it seems to have been known simply as "God's hill" by the Normans. The older name returned later in the 13th century, but changed  form to comply with the established religion.

[Smiffy]

[Smiffy]

It's sometimes surprising how far back the origin of place names go. Most date from the Anglo Saxon era but others like headlands, islands and rivers may still retain some form of their old British names, so go back well over two millennia. Kent itself is the oldest county name in Britain.

[Cosmo Smallpiece]

I'm sure I was told that Gravesend was so called because that was where the line of graves stretched from London during the black death? Well your versions pre-date that myth! Thanks.

[Smiffy]

[Smiffy]

[Mike Gunnill]

Trottiscliffe

Old English Trottes clif "Trott's cliff"
Trottes clyva - 788
Trotescliua - c.975
Totesclive - 1086
Trottescliue - 1231
Trosclyffe - 1610


Addington

From the Old English Eadding t?n "Eadda's farmstead"
Eddintune - 1086
Eadintuna - c.1100
Edingtone, Edintune - 1185
Adington' - 1256
Addington - 1610


Ryarsh

Old English ryge ersc "Rye field" a field of stubble on which rye has been grown.
Riesce - 1086
Reiersce - c.1100
Reyhersse, Ryersse - 1253
Rehersh, Reyershe - 1278
Ryersh - 1610

Many thx Smiffy. Very helpful.  Well done






Mike

[Smiffy]

Trottiscliffe

Old English Trottes clif "Trott's cliff"
Trottes clyva - 788
Trotescliua - c.975
Totesclive - 1086
Trottescliue - 1231
Trosclyffe - 1610


Addington

From the Old English Eadding t?n "Eadda's farmstead"
Eddintune - 1086
Eadintuna - c.1100
Edingtone, Edintune - 1185
Adington' - 1256
Addington - 1610


Ryarsh

Old English ryge ersc "Rye field" a field of stubble on which rye has been grown.
Riesce - 1086
Reiersce - c.1100
Reyhersse, Ryersse - 1253
Rehersh, Reyershe - 1278
Ryersh - 1610

[Smiffy]

[stuartwaters]

These are excellent Smiffy, thank you so much for sharing these with us.

[Smiffy]

Queenborough

Originally known as Bynnee, from the Old English binnan ?a "within the river". This refers to its site at the western end of the Swale. Between 1361 and 1377 a castle was built here by Edward III to protect this important sea passage. It was then renamed Queen's Borough in honour of his wife, Queen Philippa.
Quenesburgh - 1367
Queneburgh' - 1376
Queenborow - 1610


Leysdown

Old English l?ages d?n "Clearing's hill" - a hill associated with a clearing.   
Legesdun - c.1100
Leesdon' - 1175
Leysdon - 1247


Minster in Sheppey

Old English mynster "Monastery"
Menstre - 1270
Mynster - 1610

Referred to in c.1100 as Sexburgamynster - Seaxburh's monastery, founded in c.675 by Seaxburh, the widow of Eorconbeorht, the King of Kent from 640-664.

[Smiffy]