Hyson Green has changed a bit

How these Nottingham suburbs got their name including some that are quite strange

Some of these make a lot of sense. Others involve eagles

by · NottinghamshireLive

Have you ever pondered the origins of names like Bobbers Mill or Hyson Green? Well, we have, because we're a bit strange like that. These could have been villages that were swallowed up by the city, or they might have sprung up as the urban landscape expanded during the Industrial Revolution.

The suburbs of Nottingham boast a fascinating array of names, from the straightforward (The Meadows, Bulwell) to the somewhat cryptic. There's even one place that was named a certain way because eagles could be seen there. Sadly no eagles remain, but the name hasn't changed.

We've delved into the history of nine place names that might have left you scratching your head. (Yes, a couple are technically outside the city limits, but their naming stories were too good to leave out).

Now enjoy this list of place names while we work on a campaign to return the eagles to Arnold.

Arnold

Ever spotted an eagle in Arnold? Unlikely, we know. But the name translates to 'land where eagles are seen'.
It's listed in the Domesday Book as Ernehale, literally meaning 'eagle-slope' (the white-tailed eagle is also known as the 'erne'). However, considering the surrounding land isn't exactly eagle territory, it's more plausible that 'land where herons are seen' is a better fit.
Over time, the town's name evolved from Arnhale to Arnold.

Beeston

This name has its roots in the Saxon 'beos-tun'. 'Beos' referred to bent grass, reeds or rushes - the type of vegetation that would have thrived in the area.
The name of a settlement would have likely originated from a farmstead, or 'tun', located on the site. The workers at this farmstead would have harvested and sold reeds to thatchers or used the fertile pastures for cattle grazing.

Bobbers Mill

Bobbers Mill, although no longer present, was named after a mill situated on the River Leen. This river, more significant in the past, supplied Nottingham Castle and two monasteries and had nearly 20 mills along its banks, including Bobbers Mill, which was initially a corn mill.
With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, many of these corn mills were converted into cotton mills. The pictured mill was constructed in 1880 and remained operational until 1958, but the first record of a mill at this location dates back to 1438.

Dunkirk

As for Dunkirk, it bears no relation to its namesake in France. 'Dun' is an Anglo-Saxon term for 'hill', and 'kirk' is another word for 'church', so Dunkirk likely means 'church on the hill'.
However, there aren't many hills in the area now.

Hyson Green

The origin of the name Hyson Green is still debated. One theory suggests that a local man named John Ison owned gardens and two houses known as 'Ison Green', which over time evolved into Hyson Green.
Another theory proposes that the area was once sandy scrubland referred to as 'High Sands', distinguishing it from the 'low sands' of Radford, and this name eventually morphed into 'Hyson'.

Lenton

The origin of the first part of its name is believed to be derived from the River Leen that flows through it. Similar to Beeston, the suffix '-tun' or '-ton' signifies a farmstead or a group of homesteads.

Netherfield

Netherfield's name has an interesting connotation. 'Nether' translates to 'below, under or beneath', or occasionally, 'low-lying'.
Hence, akin to Holland being referred to as the Netherlands due to its low-lying land, Netherfield originates from an old field name signifying 'land that is low-lying'.

Sneinton

Sneinton shares its roots with Nottingham - both names trace back to Snot, an Anglo-Saxon chieftain.
While Nottingham was initially named Snotengaham and later Snottingham, translating to 'the village of Snot's people', Sneinton was known as Snotingatun, meaning 'the farm of Snot's people'.

Strelley

Strelley's name has an intriguing etymology. The 'Stre-' or 'Stra-' prefix is derived from the Latin root word 'streat', which has contributed to English words like 'strata' and 'street'. When used in a place name, it indicates proximity to a paved road, specifically a Roman road.
'Ley-' or 'Leia', signifies a 'forest or woodland clearing', originating from the Old English 'Leah'. Therefore, Strelley can be interpreted as 'the clearing on or near a road or track associated with the Romans'.