From Abbas Combe to Zennor, this dictionary gives the meaning and origin of place names in the British Isles, tracing their development from earliest times to the present day.

In this handbook, scholars from around the world offer an up-to-date account of the state of the art in different areas of onomastics, in a format that is both useful to specialists in related fields and accessible to the general reader. Since Ancient Greece, names have been regarded as central to the study of language, and this has continued to be a major theme of both philosophical and linguistic enquiry throughout the history of Western thought. The investigation of name origins is more recent, as is the study of names in literature. Relatively new is the study of names in society, which draws on techniques from sociolinguistics and has gradually been gathering momentum over the last few decades. The structure of this volume reflects the emergence of the main branches of name studies, in roughly chronological order. The first Part focuses on name theory and outlines key issues about the role of names in language, focusing on grammar, meaning, and discourse. Parts II and III deal with the study of place-names and personal names respectively, while Part IV outlines contrasting approaches to the study of names in literature, with case studies from different languages and time periods. Part V explores the field of socio-onomastics, with chapters relating to the names of people, places, and commercial products. Part VI then examines the interdisciplinary nature of name studies, before the concluding Part presents a selection of animate and inanimate referents ranging from aircraft to animals, and explains the naming strategies adopted for them.

"NameSculpt" is not just a book; it's an odyssey into the enchanting realm of baby names, carefully curated to inspire and assist parents in choosing the perfect moniker for their little ones. This comprehensive guide transcends the conventional, offering a symphony of names that weave together the threads of tradition, culture, and contemporary flair. Dive into a collection that goes beyond mere alphabetical listings, exploring the historical, cultural, and linguistic tapestry of names from around the globe. Whether you're drawn to the elegance of classic names or the allure of avant-garde choices inspired by literature and pop culture, "NameSculpt" unveils a rich spectrum of options to suit every taste and preference. Guided by principles that celebrate cultural significance, personal values, and enduring appeal, this book is a roadmap for parents navigating the labyrinth of baby naming. From timeless classics to unique and unconventional gems, "NameSculpt" is a treasure trove, promising to transform the seemingly daunting task of naming into a joyous celebration of identity, heritage, and the boundless possibilities encapsulated in a single, magical word. Let the journey begin.

Where did your surname come from? Do you know how many people in the United States share it? What does it tell you about your lineage?From the editor of the highly acclaimed Dictionary of Surnames comes the most extensive compilation of surnames in America. The result of 10 years of research and 30 consulting editors, this massive undertaking documents 70,000 surnames of Americans across the country. A reference source like no other, it surveys each surname giving its meaning, nationality, alternate spellings, common forenames associated with it, and the frequency of each surname and forename.The Dictionary of American Family Names is a fascinating journey throughout the multicultural United States, offering a detailed look at the meaning and frequency of surnames throughout the country. For students studying family genealogy, others interested in finding out more about their own lineage, or lexicographers, the Dictionary is an ideal place to begin research.

This comparison of the archaeological evidence from the fourth to seventh centuries AD in the Chilterns and Essex regions focuses on the considerable body of place–name data from the area. The counties of Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Essex, and parts of Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Cambridgeshire are included.

"NameSculpt" is not just a book; it's an odyssey into the enchanting realm of baby names, carefully curated to inspire and assist parents in choosing the perfect moniker for their little ones. This comprehensive guide transcends the conventional, offering a symphony of names that weave together the threads of tradition, culture, and contemporary flair. Dive into a collection that goes beyond mere alphabetical listings, exploring the historical, cultural, and linguistic tapestry of names from around the globe. Whether you're drawn to the elegance of classic names or the allure of avant-garde choices inspired by literature and pop culture, "NameSculpt" unveils a rich spectrum of options to suit every taste and preference. Guided by principles that celebrate cultural significance, personal values, and enduring appeal, this book is a roadmap for parents navigating the labyrinth of baby naming. From timeless classics to unique and unconventional gems, "NameSculpt" is a treasure trove, promising to transform the seemingly daunting task of naming into a joyous celebration of identity, heritage, and the boundless possibilities encapsulated in a single, magical word. Let the journey begin.

TRENDS IN LINGUISTICS is a series of books that open new perspectives in our understanding of language. The series publishes state-of-the-art work on core areas of linguistics across theoretical frameworks, as well as studies that provide new insights by approaching language from an interdisciplinary perspective. TRENDS IN LINGUISTICS considers itself a forum for cutting-edge research based on solid empirical data on language in its various manifestations, including sign languages. It regards linguistic variation in its synchronic and diachronic dimensions as well as in its social contexts as important sources of insight for a better understanding of the design of linguistic systems and the ecology and evolution of language. TRENDS IN LINGUISTICS publishes monographs and outstanding dissertations as well as edited volumes, which provide the opportunity to address controversial topics from different empirical and theoretical viewpoints. High quality standards are ensured through anonymous reviewing. To discuss your book idea or submit a proposal, please contact Birgit Sievert.

Throughout British history rivers have been of profound economic, social and cultural importance – yet as we see with increasing frequency they have the potential to wreak great destruction. This book describes the natural and not-so-natural changes that have affected British rivers since the last ice age and looks at the many plants and animals that live along, above and within them. Detailed case studies of the Meon, Dee and Endrick illustrate the incredibly varied nature of our river ecosystems, and the natural and human factors that make each one different. Written by two widely respected river ecologists, the book looks not only at rivers as they were and are but also at how they can be managed and cared for. Full of interesting facts and stunning images, Rivers is essential reading for anyone professionally involved in rivers and for the naturalist, conservationist and layman alike. It is the one book you need to understand this singularly important and often contentious feature of the British landscape.

Crucial texts from ninth- and tenth-century Wales analysed to show their key role in identify formation. WINNER OF THE FRANCIS JONES PRIZE 2022 Early medieval writers viewed the world as divided into gentes ("peoples"). These were groups that could be differentiated from each other according to certain characteristics - by the language they spoke or the territory they inhabited, for example. The same writers played a key role in deciding which characteristics were important and using these to construct ethnic identities. This book explores this process of identity construction in texts from early medieval Wales, focusing primarily on the early ninth-century Latin history of the Britons (Historia Brittonum), the biography of Alfred the Great composed by the Welsh scholar Asser in 893, and the tenth-century vernacular poem Armes Prydein Vawr ("The Great Prophecy of Britain"). It examines how these writers set about distinguishing between the Welsh and the other gentes inhabiting the island of Britain through the use of names, attention to linguistic difference, and the writing of history and origin legends. Crucially important was the identity of the Welsh as Britons, the rightful inhabitants of the entirety of Britain; its significance and durability are investigated, alongside its interaction with the emergence of an identity focused on the geographical unit of Wales.

South Devon Place Names provides an interesting insight into some of the county's more unusual place names.