Folklore: Idle thought. Much

Subject: Folklore: Idle thought. Much
From: leeneia
Date: 27 Sep 20 - 10:38 PM

Last night the DH and I watched a show set in Much Benham, England. There are other names like that:

Much Birch        (Hereford)
Much Cowarne        (Bromyard)
Much Dewchurch        (Hereford)
Much Hoole        (Preston)
Much Marcle

Can anyone explain why the names of villages start with Much? My unabridged dictionary is no help.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Idle thought. Much
From: G-Force
Date: 28 Sep 20 - 05:18 AM

It means big. Theres's probably a Little Benham somewhere nearby.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Idle thought. Much
From: GUEST,watcher
Date: 28 Sep 20 - 05:52 AM

yes, I've just had a quick look at the old ordnance maps on NLS.uk and there is Little Cowarne and Little Dewchurch nearby (I didn't check the others). The old 6 inch map also shows some strange double barrel names in that part of Herefordshire which seem almost comic parodies!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Idle thought. Much
From: Mo the caller
Date: 28 Sep 20 - 06:04 AM

Yes our villages do come in related clusters. Another thread reminded me of Church Stretton, All Stretton and Little Stretton.

But my favourite is New Invention.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Idle thought. Much
From: GUEST,Derrick
Date: 28 Sep 20 - 06:25 AM

Cornwall has some fascinating village and hamlet names.
London Apprentice,which took its name from a local Inn.
Playing Place, a place where Miracle Plays were performed.
Come to Good,named for the Quaker Meeting House.
Indian Queens,again named after a local Inn,which has since been demolished

Subject: RE: Folklore: Idle thought. Much
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Sep 20 - 07:26 AM

Have you seen Much Piddling in the Marsh? :-D

Subject: RE: Folklore: Idle thought. Much
From: leeneia
Date: 28 Sep 20 - 11:18 AM

Much = Big

Thanks. It's nice to have that cleared up.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Idle thought. Much
From: meself
Date: 28 Sep 20 - 12:08 PM

I always liked one series of names in Nova Scotia: 1) Lower Economy; 2) Middle Economy; and, 3) Upper Economy. There were actually no obvious differences in the economic status of the three communities last time I drove through.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Idle thought. Much
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Sep 20 - 12:27 PM

I've never noticed that. Now, no doubt, I'll see it every day.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Folklore: Idle thought. Much
From: GUEST,Modette
Date: 28 Sep 20 - 12:31 PM

In my work I've used this site on many occasions. It's not perfect, but it's a handy starter.

Key to English Place-Names

Subject: RE: Folklore: Idle thought. Much
From: leeneia
Date: 30 Sep 20 - 11:49 AM

Thanks for the link, Modette.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Idle thought. Much
From: GUEST,Roger
Date: 30 Sep 20 - 12:55 PM

I've always wondered about al the Puddles and Piddles near Tincleton!!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Idle thought. Much
From: Jack Campin
Date: 30 Sep 20 - 01:05 PM

Settled by emigrants from Pishwanton in East Lothian?