A Dictionary of London Place-Names

Have you ever wondered where the unusual names of Elephant and Castle, Grim’s Ditch, Soho, and World’s End come from? Find out the linguistic and historical origins of these place-names and discover their significance in recording English cultural heritage. From Abbey Road to Canary Wharf and Piccadilly to Whipps Cross, this authoritative and absorbing dictionary covers the meanings behind over 1,700 names of places, streets, stations, and areas of London.
The book comprises two main parts: a fascinating introduction, discussing the chronology and structure of London place-names following the development of the city from pre-Celtic times to
the present day; and an A-Z of the place-names themselves, giving their date of first record, origins, and associations. It also features 9 maps of London, a useful glossary of the elements in London place-names, a select bibliography, and recommended web links. Now revised and updated to include the latest in names research and to include new place-names, this remains an excellent reference guide for local historians and a captivating read for both Londoners and visitors
to the city.

Author Biography

David Mills is the Emeritus Reader in English, University of London, and a member of the English Place-Name Society and of the Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland.