The London borough names are a mystery no more…
London place names are a constant source of fascination for many – witness all of us who’ve sniggered at the word ‘Cockfosters’ one too many a time – but one keen etymologist has taken things a step further. Harvard student Adam Aleksic, who goes by the moniker @etymologynerd, has delved into the history books to uncover the hidden meanings in every London borough name. If you’ve ever wondered how the London boroughs got their names, behold and wonder no more! (Featured image: @etymologynerd)
All 32 London boroughs, plus the City of London, are explained in intriguing detail on Adam’s map. Some of the boroughs, such as Camden, Haringey, Richmond, and Merton, are named after people – Charles Pratt, the 1st Earl of Camden, Anglo-Saxon chieftain Haering, King Henry VII (the former Earl of Richmond), and former Lord Chancellor of England Walter de Merton respectively.
Many more have their roots in the Anglo-Saxon and Old English languages, such as Lambeth – derived from the Old English lambhythe, which means “place where the lambs landed” – and Harrow, which descends from the Old English hearge, or “temple”. Coming in with an unexpectedly beautiful entry is Croydon, which has Anglo-Saxon origins as “valley of the crocus flower”, whilst dog lovers should really make a beeline for Hounslow, also sporting Anglo-Saxon roots as “the dog’s mound”.
It’s a really interesting glimpse into how the places we know and love acquired their names, whether they be apparent or not. Oh, and curiously enough, the name London – acquired from Celtic, via the Roman ‘Londinium’ – means “wild”, which anyone who’s had a night out in Soho can probably attest to the truth of…