A Guide to East Kent's Interesting and Quirky Names
Let's face it, the UK is full of quirky, funny and downright strange names! And East Kent is no exception... The iconic "Ham Sandwich" road sign is probably one of the most photographed landmarks in this area.
Why? Because there's something enthralling about our place names, as they're a reflection of a rich history, cultural identity, linguistic diversity - and often our unique sense of humour. Whatever their origins, these quirky names add a touch of charm and character to our landscape, and continue to captivate people all over the world!
Here are some of our favourite local place names, and a bit more information about them:
Origins of a Few Local Place Names
Our local place names offer a glimpse into the rich history of East Kent, reflecting the region's Celtic, Roman, and Anglo-Saxon past.
- Kent: Old English Cent, Cent Lond, Centrice, from Latin Cantia; Canticum (Caesar), Greek Kantion; Ancient British Celtic name often explained as "coastal district," or "corner-land, land on the edge," but possibly "land of the hosts or armies."
- Canterbury: Old English Cantware-buruh "fortified town of the Kentish people," from Cant-ware "the people of Kent"; Celtic Origins: The name "Canterbury" is derived from the Celtic tribe, the Cantiaci, who inhabited the area; Roman Influence: The Romans later named it Durovernum Cantiacorum, meaning "fort of the Cantiaci."
- Deal: Believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin, possibly derived from the Old English word "dæl," meaning the hollow, a valley or dale.
- Walmer: An Old English name, likely meaning "the wall-enclosed mere or pool."
- Wingham: Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English words "win" (meadow) and "ham" (homestead), suggesting a settlement in a meadow.
- Sandwich: Derived from the Old English words "sand" and "wic," meaning a sandy bay or inlet.
- Ham: The suffix "-ham" is a common element in many English place names, particularly in Kent. It is derived from the Old English word "hām," meaning "homestead" or "village."
- Ash: This is a very common place name in England, deriving from the Old English word "æsc," meaning ash tree. It often indicates an area where ash trees were once plentiful.
- Staple: This name is derived from the Old English word "stæpel," meaning a post or stake. It often refers to a place where goods were traded or stored, or where a market was held.
- Richborough: This name is derived from the Latin name "Rutupiae," which was the name of a Roman fort and port. It was a major Roman settlement in Kent.
- Wickhambreaux: This name is derived from the Old English words "wic" (a settlement or village) and "burh" (a fortified place). It indicates a fortified settlement or village.
- Plucks Gutter: This name is likely to be derived from the Old English word "ploc," meaning a plot of land, and "guter," meaning a gutter or channel. It may refer to a drainage ditch or channel that runs through a plot of land.
- Minster: This name is derived from the Old English word "mynster," meaning a monastery or church. It often indicates a place where a monastery or church was once located.
You're having a laugh, surely?
While many place names in East Kent have historical origins, some simply sound amusing. Here are a few more quirky ones that you might like to go and visit while you're here:
- Barnsole, a village and civil parish between Canterbury and Deal (home to Barnsole Vineyard)
- Blean, a village near Canterbury (home to Blean Woods Nature Reserve)
- Bullockstone, a village near Herne Bay
- Cop Street, a hamlet near Ash and Hawthorn Farm
- Denton, a village near Dover (home to The Jackdaw pub)
- Ewell Minnis, a village near Dover
- Eythorne, a civil parish and village near Dover
- Finglesham, a village near Deal (home to the Crown Inn pub)
- Frogham, a hamlet between Canterbury and Dover
- Goodnestone, a village and civil parish between Canterbury and Deal (home to Goodnestone Park and Gardens)
- Guilton, a village adjacent to Ash
- Hunters Forstal, a village near Herne Bay
- Ickham, a small village near Canterbury (home to the Duke William pub)
- Lynsore Bottom, a village between Canterbury and Folkestone
- Marley, a village near Canterbury
- Monkton, a village near minster (home to the Monkton Nature Reserve)
- Mystole, a village near Canterbury
- Nackington, a village near Canterbury
- Napchester, a village near Dover
- Nash, a village near Sandwich
- Nonington, a civil parish and village between Canterbury and Dover
- Ripple, a village near Deal
- Shatterling, a hamlet near Wingham (home to Wingham Country Market, near Wingham Wildlife Park)
- Ware, a hamlet near Ash and Sandwich (location of Hawthorn Farm Cottages!)
And some funny street names:
- No Name Street, Sandwich (location of the equally amusing, No Name Shop)
- Bogshole Lane, Herne Bay
- Buttshole Pond, Eastry
- Cockle Swamp Alley, Deal
- Poorhole Lane, Broadstairs
- Turnagain Lane, Canterbury
- Screaming Alley, Ramsgate
- Pet Bottom Road, Canterbury
- Squeeze Gut Alley, Whitstable
It's interesting to speculate about the origins of these names. Some might be derived from old English or Norman French, while others could be linked to local folklore, local landmarks, people or historical events. For instance, "Monkton" might refer to a monk who once lived there.
While these names might seem a bit odd to the visitors coming to this area, we think they add a certain unique charm to the region. So, the next time you're exploring East Kent, keep an eye out for these funny place names and enjoy a chuckle or two!