What's in a Name? Quiz | England

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This city is one of the oldest in England, with a history stretching back over 2000 years. Its modern day name derives from a, possibly, Saxon name that meant 'camp of the Ligore'. Which modern city are we in?

Answer: Leicester

The name Leicester is said to have derived from castra, or camp, of the Ligore which meant 'dwellers on the River Legro' which was an early name for the River Soar. In the early part of the tenth century is was recorded as Ligeraceaster, and by the time of 'The Doomsday Book' it had changed to Ledecestre.

There is also a story, recorded by Geoffrey of Monmouth, that the mythical King Leir founded the town and called it Kaerleir, or Leir's chester. The play 'King Lear' is based loosely on this story.

2. In Anglo Saxon times this place was called Tig Guocobauc, which meant a 'place of cave dwellings'. At some point during the Saxon occupation the name changed to mean 'the home of the people of Snot'. Which city had this rather unpleasant name bestowed upon it?

Answer: Nottingham

It's true, at one time Nottingham was called Snotingaham, Inga meant 'the people of' and Ham was 'homestead'. Snot himself was a Saxon chieftain, so the name literally meant 'homestead of the people of Snot'. Thankfully, over time, the S was lost. This original settlement is where Nottingham's historic Lace Market is now situated.

3. This town is a comparative newcomer, indeed, in its present form it was designated as a New Town in 1948. It was made up of four villages, one of which gave it its current name. In 1086 it was recorded as Beorhtel's Hill. What is its modern name?

Answer: Basildon

The 'Beorhtel' part is an Anglo Saxon personal name, and the Anglo Saxon word for a hill was 'dun'. Over the centuries this changed more than once, and at various times it was called Berdlesdon, Batlesdon and Belesduna. The modern town comprises what used to be four separate villages, Pitsea, Laindon, Basildon and Vange.

It was created a New Town to take the overspill population of London in the early years after the Second World War.

4. The original name of this relatively small town is of Celtic origin. It was known as Tre Ussig, the 'settlement by the water'. In The Doomsday Book it is recorded as Tresche, which derives from the Norse word bresk, which means 'marsh'. We are in Yorkshire, but where?

Answer: Thirsk

The name Thirsk is one of those that isn't immediately obvious from some of its older names. To this day it is still a small market town some 20 miles north of the city of York. Its modern day claims to fame are it's racecourse and the fact that this is where James Herriot actually lived and worked. The original house that held the practice is now a museum dedicated to him and his work.

5. This town is on the east coast of England. Part of the name comes from the Celtic word for 'pool'. In its heyday, in the 14th century, it was England's third port. During the Reformation there was a major change in the name of this town, which is still the third largest in its county. Whereabouts, in the east of England, are we?

Answer: King's Lynn

It is believed that there had been settlements around the area for hundreds of years before the first official mention of the town in 1101. Originally called Bishop's Lynn, because it fell within the area controlled by the Bishop of Norwich, when Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries the area fell under Royal control and the town was renamed King's Lynn.

It was also known as Lynn Regis, but the modern name stuck. It still has Royal connections. Sandringham House is only a few miles away.

6. This town shares part of its name with several other towns across England. The second part comes from, probably, the Saxon term for 'valley with fields'. We are now in a part of central England known for its outstanding natural beauty. A small market town nestled within England's rolling countryside. Where are we?

Answer: Chipping Campden

The Campden part is believed to be a shortened version of 'camperdene'. Records show that before 1066, the manor of Camperdene belonged to King Harold. Chipping, or its earlier form Cepynge, means 'market'. So we have 'the market in the valley with fields'.

The two parts of the name came together at least as early as the 13th century. The market was a wool traders market, the sheep being grazed in the surrounding Cotswold Hills. In common with many wool towns, the local church is large and impressive for a town of this size. To this day, such edifices are known as 'wool churches'.

7. This town got its present day name from the fact that it was originally built on the boundaries of two English Parishes. It does not feature in "The Doomsday Book", because the original Norman Castle wasn't built until 1080. The castle was built by Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury. This may give you a clue as to where we are.

Answer: Devizes

When the original castle was built by Osmund, it was on the borders of the two parishes of Bishops Cannings and Potterne. Because of this it became known as 'the castle at the boundaries', or at the time 'castrum ad divisas'. Hence the name Devizes.

8. This town is located in central southern England. The second part of the name comes from an old word for a wooded valley, and for the river that ran through it. Originally the name was applied to a much larger area than it is today. The first part of the name is a mystery, but it may stem from the towns wish to separate itself from the rest of the area. The area is famous for the Hellfire Club, although it is almost certain that they never held meetings within the modern town. Where are we?

Answer: High Wycombe

Combe is the part that comes from the wooded valley. Wye is the river that runs through it. Originally, Wycombe stretched from what is now the separate village of West Wycombe, to what is now known as Loudwater. Where the 'High' part of the name comes from is not recorded.

The 'Hellfire Club' met in what is now part of West Wycombe, but the boundaries between the two communities are getting closer, and it is difficult to tell when you pass from one to the other.As late as 1911, the town was known as Chipping Wycombe, indicating the presence of an important local market.

9. The old name for this town meant 'market of Bearda'. Before the Norman invasion it had gained such importance that King Athelstan established a mint there. It was one of the most important towns in Devon at the time. What is it now called?

Answer: Barnstaple

This is another town where the name hasn't really gone through a major change. At the time of King Alfred it was called Beardestaple, the 'staple' part referring to a market. The old town was a typical Saxon stronghold with a large defensive wall and withstood many attacks from Danish raiders. By the time of The Doomsday Book the name had already changed to Barnestaple.

10. The original Roman name for the settlement where this city now stands was Portus Abonae. As usual after the Saxons took up residence the name changed, and by the time of the Norman invasion it was called Brycgstow. What do we know it as now?

Answer: Bristol

The name Brycgstow, in Old English means 'place by the bridge'. Over time the 'g' disappeared and it became Brycstow. There is a legend that the local tendency to add the letter L on to most words turned it into Bristol. There is archaeological evidence that the area has been inhabited for over 60,000 years.

Source: Author romeomikegolf

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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What's in a Name? Trivia Quiz

Many English place names have changed over the centuries. I will give you either the old name, or the original meaning of the name. All you have to do is pick the correct town or city.

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