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Reposted by Dr Kathryn Bullen

The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland @snsbi.bsky.social · 18d

Our next family name story is 'Hitchcock: a southern English family name' and is written by Peter McClure, Honorary Professor (Name Studies) at the University of Nottingham. @namestudies.bsky.social

www.snsbi.org.uk/exploring-na...

www.nottingham.ac.uk/english/peop...

Hitchcock - SNSBI

This name story traces the history of the family name Hitchcock, best known today as the name of the film director Alfred Hitchcock.

www.snsbi.org.uk

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Reposted by Dr Kathryn Bullen

The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland @snsbi.bsky.social · Sep 9

Registration is now open for the SNSBI 2025 Autumn Day Conference, which will take place online via Zoom on Saturday 25 October (11.00 to 16.30) - do join us!

Booking is via Eventbrite link: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/names-abro...

Abstracts are available here: www.snsbi.org.uk/2025_autumn_...

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Reposted by Dr Kathryn Bullen

The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland @snsbi.bsky.social · Aug 25

Our congratulations to Emeritus Professor Hywel Wyn Owen, recent recipient of the Green Robes at the Gorsedd, the society of Welsh-language poets, writers, musicians and others who have contributed to the Welsh language and to public life in Wales. @placenames.bsky.social

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Reposted by Dr Kathryn Bullen

Longbarrow Press @longbarrowpress.bsky.social · Aug 20

@kfbullen.bsky.social has developed a useful and interesting site based on her research into Axholme place-names:
axholmeplacenames.wordpress.com

Isle of Axholme place-names

Discovering the landscape through the language of place-names

axholmeplacenames.wordpress.com

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Reposted by Dr Kathryn Bullen

The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland @snsbi.bsky.social · Aug 12

Take a look at this new book by Liz Curtis on East Lothian place-names: spns.org.uk/resources/pl....

East Lothian is the Scottish county east of Edinburgh. The book shares a varied collection of place-names, providing windows on the past.

@ainmean-aite.bsky.social @namestudies.bsky.social

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Reposted by Dr Kathryn Bullen

The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland @snsbi.bsky.social · Aug 2

Our next name story explores the archaeology of the place-name 'York', written by Diana Whaley, Emeritus Professor of Early Medieval Studies @newcastleuni.bsky.social. Explore the name's development reflected in the people/languages + layers of influence shown in buildings/archaeology.

York — the archaeology of a place-name - SNSBI

The place-name York, like the city itself, has a fascinating history reflecting the influence of many different peoples

www.snsbi.org.uk

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Reposted by Dr Kathryn Bullen

Susie Dent @susiedent.com · Jul 20

Etymology of the day: spiders were once known as ‘attercops’, or ‘poison-heads’, because it was believed most spiders were venomous. The ‘cop’ element became the ‘cob’ in ‘cobweb’.

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Reposted by Dr Kathryn Bullen

The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland @snsbi.bsky.social · Jul 16

The SNSBI is now on LinkedIn! 👋 Give us a follow for content on names, place-names and events! www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

Discover routes into names and name studies with the Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland! | Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland

Discover routes into names and name studies with the Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland! Our new SNSBI website contains lots of material on place-names and surnames, with name-stories foc...

www.linkedin.com

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Reposted by Dr Kathryn Bullen

The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland @snsbi.bsky.social · Jul 13

Welcome to the first in a series of @snsbi.bsky.social name stories. This month, Peter McClure takes a look at the name 'attenborough'. Find out more about the famous brothers, the place-name which gave rise to the surname 'attenborough', & more about the surname...
www.snsbi.org.uk/exploring-na...

Attenborough - SNSBI

Where does the surname Attenborough come from?

www.snsbi.org.uk

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Reposted by Dr Kathryn Bullen

The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland @snsbi.bsky.social · Jul 9

Call for papers! The @snsbi.bsky.social autumn day online conference "Names Abroad - Names From Abroad" is on Sat 25/10/2025: A) Current Name Research in Scandinavia, of relevance to Britain/Ireland, B) Names of other origins in Britain and Ireland and elsewhere. Deadline for abstracts: 15 August.

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Reposted by Dr Kathryn Bullen

Tristan 'count-fingers' Alphey @seaxeducation.bsky.social · Jun 28

Come join us @imc-leeds.bsky.social in 2026 to talk about names! Please share this CfP with anyone interested - all are welcome

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Dr Kathryn Bullen @kfbullen.bsky.social · Jun 19

An excellent read👌

Dr Kathryn Bullen @kfbullen.bsky.social · Jun 19

You're welcome! And if you're interested in another fenland area, have a look at axholmeplacenames.wordpress.com

Isle of Axholme place-names

Discovering the landscape through the language of place-names

axholmeplacenames.wordpress.com

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Dr Kathryn Bullen @kfbullen.bsky.social · Jun 19

Fascinating talk tonight, thanks! For anyone looking for more detail on place-names, see www.snsbi.org.uk/exploring-na..., and kepn.nottingham.ac.uk for an up-to-date guide to the interpretation of the names of England's cities, towns and villages.

Place-names of Britain and Ireland - SNSBI

The place-names of Britain and Ireland, from Aberdeen to Zone Point (Cornwall), and Galway to Norwich, are exceptionally diverse and full of interest, reflecting the remarkably variegated geology, geo...

www.snsbi.org.uk

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Reposted by Dr Kathryn Bullen

Michael J. Warren @drmjwarren.bsky.social · Jun 19

I’m with @histassoc.bsky.social tonight talking all about how birds have been shaping and transforming our relationships with place for a very long time. Old places and old ways. Come join! Online, free, 19:30: www.history.org.uk/events/calen.... #thecuckooslea #naturewriting

Virtual branch: The Cuckoo’s Lea

In his recent book The Cuckoo's Lea Dr Michael J Warren provides a beautiful exploration of how birds are entwined with British history, particularly in our place names. Join us for an exclusive Q&A ...

www.history.org.uk

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Dr Kathryn Bullen @kfbullen.bsky.social · Jun 15

And, now I'm at home, here's the page with the etymology. The only thing that's changed is the terminology, as we now refer to the language as Primitive Welsh rather than Celtic. Hope that all helps!

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Dr Kathryn Bullen @kfbullen.bsky.social · Jun 15

Have a look at Ekwall's River-Names (published 1928, but still highly regarded) - I've clipped a page here which shows the spellings with dates of sources - earliest reference is Dufan 951 (13th).

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Dr Kathryn Bullen @kfbullen.bsky.social · Jun 15

The focus was on Nottinghamshire, but early origins of many river names were mentioned, including the River Dove (there are multiple rivers named Dove: in Derbyshire, N Yorks, Suffolk, Barnsley) = PrW (primitive Welsh) meaning "black, dark".

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Dr Kathryn Bullen @kfbullen.bsky.social · Jun 14

Finally, Dr Peter McClure speaks about Nottinghamshire surnames - what counts? Due to linguistic changes many surnames now convey a false sense/no sense. Researching surnames contributes to a better understanding of the history of English language and society. www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1...

The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland

"The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland" published on by Oxford University Press.

www.oxfordreference.com

Dr Kathryn Bullen @kfbullen.bsky.social · Jun 14

Now, @susan-kilby.bsky.social introduces Nottingham's street-names, what they tell us about occupations of its inhabitants/transport routes. These provide evidence of the city's history/development. Stoney Street 1218 = once the paved main route to York and a gateway to Sherwood Forest. Speed's map.

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Dr Kathryn Bullen @kfbullen.bsky.social · Jun 14

Next, Dr Dominic Thompson gives a fascinating insight into British Sign Language and how place-names are produced in BSL. He focuses on the psychology of language, shape/movement during BSL communication, regional variations + why we label things the way we do.
www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/gro...

People - The University of Nottingham

www.nottingham.ac.uk

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Dr Kathryn Bullen @kfbullen.bsky.social · Jun 14

Now, Dr Paul Cavill shares about interpretation of field-names (and minor names), and how these names provide information about the development and use of land, namers and vocabulary used for familiar things. Pic from my own research nearby in Axholme axholmeplacenames.wordpress.com/field-names-...

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Dr Kathryn Bullen @kfbullen.bsky.social · Jun 14

Next, Dr John Baker explores medieval assembly sites: the infrastructure of local government, held in the open air in established locations, inc names of recorded meeting places + place-names with elements that imply the presence of assembly - mæþel, þing, (ge)mōt

thynghowe521978831.wordpress.com

Thynghowe

A Viking Age assembly site in Sherwood Forest

thynghowe521978831.wordpress.com

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Dr Kathryn Bullen @kfbullen.bsky.social · Jun 14

Next, Professor Jayne Carroll explores watercourses, their varied linguistic origins, and how rivers behaved and were perceived, including the "trespassing" Trent and the "lazy" Idle. Photo shows the River Idle near Retford. www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/idle-valley

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Dr Kathryn Bullen @kfbullen.bsky.social · Jun 14

At the Nottinghamshire Names Day, @beccagregs.bsky.social introduces place-names, their origins as descriptions of the world + importance of early spellings.

www.nottingham.ac.uk/conference/f...

@namestudies.bsky.social, @englishplacenames.bsky.social @snsbi.bsky.social @uonenglish.bsky.social

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