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 Sam Dimmer · NottinghamshireLiveHave 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
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.
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Beeston
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.
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Bobbers 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.
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Dunkirk
However, there aren't many hills in the area now.
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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'.
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Lenton
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Netherfield
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'.
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Sneinton
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'.
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Strelley
'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'.
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