The Penguin Dictionary of British Place Names (Penguin reference) - Softcover

Room, Adrian

9780140514537: The Penguin Dictionary of British Place Names (Penguin reference)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140514538 ISBN 13: 9780140514537

Publisher: Penguin, 2003

This superbly researched and attractively written dictionary covers every significant settlement in England, Scotland and Wales, from the Roman fort Aballava to Zetland (now known as Shetland). The origins of every place name are discussed in detail, and links to natural phenomena, local families and mythology are explored. Towns, villages and cities, rivers, mountains and islands are all included, with explanations of changes in language which can make meanings obscure. The history of Britain can be seen through its place names, as one by one the Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and Normans left their mark on our maps, and this book lets the reader travel through time not just space when they read a signpost.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Synopsis:

A comprehensive A-Z guide to the meaning and history of 10,000 place names from England, Scotland and Wales. Unlocking the meaning of a place namecan provide fasinating insights into the history and development of a community. A place name can tell us when a town was founded, who founded it what the surrounding countryside was like and even which animals lived there. This dictionary provides the key. Covering names of countries, regions, cities, towns, suburbs, villages and rivers. In each case it explains precisely the place names means, what language it is derived from (for example, Anglo-Saxon, Celtic) and when it was first recorded and provides a host of background details. The dictionary also explains the meaning and significance of comman elements in place names (for example, "ham") and includes a number of maps.

About the Author:

Adrian Room is the author of over 30 popular reference books, including key works on names. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a member of the English Place-Names Society and American Name Society. He lives in Lincolnshire.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.