The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland
@snsbi.bsky.social
The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland. Follow us for updates on events, publications and other name-related news. https://www.snsbi.org.uk/index.html
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Exploring names - SNSBI
www.snsbi.org.uk
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 focussing on interesting examples.
Our next name story is the surname Fox and is written by Peter McClure, Honorary Professor (Name Studies) at the University of Nottingham.
www.snsbi.org.uk/exploring-na...
@namestudies.bsky.social @englishplacenames.bsky.social @logainm.bsky.social @placenames.bsky.social @ainmean-aite.bsky.social
www.snsbi.org.uk/exploring-na...
@namestudies.bsky.social @englishplacenames.bsky.social @logainm.bsky.social @placenames.bsky.social @ainmean-aite.bsky.social
Fox - SNSBI
What might link the family names Fox, Gough, Todd and Redknap? If you're foxed, you should probably read this family name story...
www.snsbi.org.uk
October 31, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Our next name story is the surname Fox and is written by Peter McClure, Honorary Professor (Name Studies) at the University of Nottingham.
www.snsbi.org.uk/exploring-na...
@namestudies.bsky.social @englishplacenames.bsky.social @logainm.bsky.social @placenames.bsky.social @ainmean-aite.bsky.social
www.snsbi.org.uk/exploring-na...
@namestudies.bsky.social @englishplacenames.bsky.social @logainm.bsky.social @placenames.bsky.social @ainmean-aite.bsky.social
Reposted by The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland
Just settling in for the (online) @snsbi.bsky.social conference: Names Abroad: Names From Abroad, organised by Peder Gammeltoft (University of Bergen). I'll try to post some highlights from the papers. Looks like a great line up: www.snsbi.org.uk/2025_autumn_...
SNSBI: 2025 autumn conference
www.snsbi.org.uk
October 25, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Just settling in for the (online) @snsbi.bsky.social conference: Names Abroad: Names From Abroad, organised by Peder Gammeltoft (University of Bergen). I'll try to post some highlights from the papers. Looks like a great line up: www.snsbi.org.uk/2025_autumn_...
Our next name story comes from Glasgow, Scotland, and is written by Dr Alasdair Whyte, Lecturer in Celtic Onomastics at the University of Glasgow.
www.snsbi.org.uk/exploring-na...
@namestudies.bsky.social @ainmean-aite.bsky.social
www.snsbi.org.uk/exploring-na...
@namestudies.bsky.social @ainmean-aite.bsky.social
Glaschu ~ Glasgow and Gart nan Gad ~ Garngad - SNSBI
This story looks at some Glasgow place-names which tell us about the natural environment through a language which was the mother tongue of the area’s communities for several centuries: Gaelic.
www.snsbi.org.uk
October 16, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Our next name story comes from Glasgow, Scotland, and is written by Dr Alasdair Whyte, Lecturer in Celtic Onomastics at the University of Glasgow.
www.snsbi.org.uk/exploring-na...
@namestudies.bsky.social @ainmean-aite.bsky.social
www.snsbi.org.uk/exploring-na...
@namestudies.bsky.social @ainmean-aite.bsky.social
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...
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
September 21, 2025 at 9:06 AM
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...
www.snsbi.org.uk/exploring-na...
www.nottingham.ac.uk/english/peop...
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_...
Booking is via Eventbrite link: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/names-abro...
Abstracts are available here: www.snsbi.org.uk/2025_autumn_...
September 9, 2025 at 9:37 AM
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_...
Booking is via Eventbrite link: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/names-abro...
Abstracts are available here: www.snsbi.org.uk/2025_autumn_...
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
August 25, 2025 at 9:22 AM
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
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
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
August 12, 2025 at 9:07 AM
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
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
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
August 2, 2025 at 9:08 AM
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.
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
July 16, 2025 at 10:03 AM
The SNSBI is now on LinkedIn! 👋 Give us a follow for content on names, place-names and events! www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
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...
www.snsbi.org.uk/exploring-na...
Attenborough - SNSBI
Where does the surname Attenborough come from?
www.snsbi.org.uk
July 13, 2025 at 7:12 PM
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...
www.snsbi.org.uk/exploring-na...
Reposted by The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland
I’d like to officially announce birdsandplace.co.uk, my website accompanying #thecuckooslea which aims to record and share for the delight of everyone all birds in English place-names (and from there, one day, other birds/languages in Britain/Ireland too). Take a look! #naturewriting #birdsandplace
July 5, 2025 at 7:12 AM
I’d like to officially announce birdsandplace.co.uk, my website accompanying #thecuckooslea which aims to record and share for the delight of everyone all birds in English place-names (and from there, one day, other birds/languages in Britain/Ireland too). Take a look! #naturewriting #birdsandplace
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.
July 9, 2025 at 4:36 PM
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.
Reposted by The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland
6 August 2025, 13:30
Cymdeithasau 2 at the National Eisteddfod, Wrecsam
Hywel Wyn Owen
Some place-names around the eisteddfod.
A survey of a selection of place-names reflecting the area's history, environment, language, people and industry.
In Welsh with simultaneous translation into English
Cymdeithasau 2 at the National Eisteddfod, Wrecsam
Hywel Wyn Owen
Some place-names around the eisteddfod.
A survey of a selection of place-names reflecting the area's history, environment, language, people and industry.
In Welsh with simultaneous translation into English
May 22, 2025 at 10:51 AM
6 August 2025, 13:30
Cymdeithasau 2 at the National Eisteddfod, Wrecsam
Hywel Wyn Owen
Some place-names around the eisteddfod.
A survey of a selection of place-names reflecting the area's history, environment, language, people and industry.
In Welsh with simultaneous translation into English
Cymdeithasau 2 at the National Eisteddfod, Wrecsam
Hywel Wyn Owen
Some place-names around the eisteddfod.
A survey of a selection of place-names reflecting the area's history, environment, language, people and industry.
In Welsh with simultaneous translation into English
Reposted by The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland
Come join us @imc-leeds.bsky.social in 2026 to talk about names! Please share this CfP with anyone interested - all are welcome
June 28, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Come join us @imc-leeds.bsky.social in 2026 to talk about names! Please share this CfP with anyone interested - all are welcome
Young researchers - save the date! International Council of Onomastic Sciences, Summer School, 24-28/8/2026, Helsinki, Finland: Digital Tools/Databases. @namestudies.bsky.social, @englishplacenames.bsky.social, @logainm.bsky.social, spns.org.uk, ulsterplacenamesociety.org, @placenames.bsky.social
June 21, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Young researchers - save the date! International Council of Onomastic Sciences, Summer School, 24-28/8/2026, Helsinki, Finland: Digital Tools/Databases. @namestudies.bsky.social, @englishplacenames.bsky.social, @logainm.bsky.social, spns.org.uk, ulsterplacenamesociety.org, @placenames.bsky.social
Reposted by The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland
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
June 19, 2025 at 7:52 PM
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.
Reposted by The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland
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
June 19, 2025 at 7:28 AM
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
Super day in Nottingham yesterday at the Nottinghamshire Names Day - see 🧵 below!
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
www.nottingham.ac.uk/conference/f...
@namestudies.bsky.social, @englishplacenames.bsky.social @snsbi.bsky.social @uonenglish.bsky.social
June 15, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Super day in Nottingham yesterday at the Nottinghamshire Names Day - see 🧵 below!
What is a name? This regular series of posts features pages from our new website: www.snsbi.org.uk/exploring-na...
Let us know your thoughts below!
@namestudies.bsky.social, @englishplacenames.bsky.social,
@placenames.bsky.social, @logainm.bsky.social, spns.org.uk, www.ulsterplacenamesociety.org
Let us know your thoughts below!
@namestudies.bsky.social, @englishplacenames.bsky.social,
@placenames.bsky.social, @logainm.bsky.social, spns.org.uk, www.ulsterplacenamesociety.org
May 25, 2025 at 4:59 PM
What is a name? This regular series of posts features pages from our new website: www.snsbi.org.uk/exploring-na...
Let us know your thoughts below!
@namestudies.bsky.social, @englishplacenames.bsky.social,
@placenames.bsky.social, @logainm.bsky.social, spns.org.uk, www.ulsterplacenamesociety.org
Let us know your thoughts below!
@namestudies.bsky.social, @englishplacenames.bsky.social,
@placenames.bsky.social, @logainm.bsky.social, spns.org.uk, www.ulsterplacenamesociety.org
Heads up - international workshop - call for papers!
'The social life of names and naming practices in migration contexts', Paris, 20-21 November 2025 calenda.org/1250904
anr.fr/Projet-ANR-2...
'The social life of names and naming practices in migration contexts', Paris, 20-21 November 2025 calenda.org/1250904
anr.fr/Projet-ANR-2...
The social life of names and naming practices in migration contexts
This workshop aims to reflect on names and naming practices in the context of migration from a variety of disciplines of the humanities and social sciences, tackling present or historical situation...
calenda.org
May 18, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Heads up - international workshop - call for papers!
'The social life of names and naming practices in migration contexts', Paris, 20-21 November 2025 calenda.org/1250904
anr.fr/Projet-ANR-2...
'The social life of names and naming practices in migration contexts', Paris, 20-21 November 2025 calenda.org/1250904
anr.fr/Projet-ANR-2...
Fancy a journey into the fascinating world of toponymy in Scotland, where every name tells a story? The 2025 Rhind Lectures will be given by Dr Simon Taylor, hosted by @socantscot.bsky.social #toponymy #placenames
fellows.socantscot.org/events/detai...
fellows.socantscot.org/events/detai...
May 11, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Fancy a journey into the fascinating world of toponymy in Scotland, where every name tells a story? The 2025 Rhind Lectures will be given by Dr Simon Taylor, hosted by @socantscot.bsky.social #toponymy #placenames
fellows.socantscot.org/events/detai...
fellows.socantscot.org/events/detai...
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 focussing on interesting examples.
Exploring names - SNSBI
www.snsbi.org.uk
May 11, 2025 at 11:07 AM
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 focussing on interesting examples.
Following our AGM, see our list of current officers, with associated biographies, together with committee members: www.snsbi.org.uk/officers.html. As the new Publicity Officer (@kfbullen.bsky.social), I'll be sharing regular updates of name-related events/material, and engaging the wider community!
May 11, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Following our AGM, see our list of current officers, with associated biographies, together with committee members: www.snsbi.org.uk/officers.html. As the new Publicity Officer (@kfbullen.bsky.social), I'll be sharing regular updates of name-related events/material, and engaging the wider community!
Reposted by The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland
Come along to the University of Nottingham’s Nottinghamshire Names Day and discover how the names of places and people can tell us about history, languages, landscapes and culture, from ancient times to the present day.
Find out more: www.nottingham.ac.uk/conference/f...
Find out more: www.nottingham.ac.uk/conference/f...
April 30, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Come along to the University of Nottingham’s Nottinghamshire Names Day and discover how the names of places and people can tell us about history, languages, landscapes and culture, from ancient times to the present day.
Find out more: www.nottingham.ac.uk/conference/f...
Find out more: www.nottingham.ac.uk/conference/f...
Read all about our recent @snsbi.bsky.social conference (thanks @kfbullen.bsky.social)! Join us next year in Ipswich, Suffolk - details to follow. @namestudies.bsky.social, @englishplacenames.bsky.social, @placenames.bsky.social, @logainm.bsky.social, spns.org.uk, www.ulsterplacenamesociety.org
@snsbi.bsky.social 31st Spring Conference has begun at @stir.ac.uk with an evening lecture by Professor Richard Oram 'From Mountain to Moss and Forest: People, Land and Environment in Stirling and the Forth Valley'. A strategic place of power where kingdoms clash, not an untouched wilderness.
April 21, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Read all about our recent @snsbi.bsky.social conference (thanks @kfbullen.bsky.social)! Join us next year in Ipswich, Suffolk - details to follow. @namestudies.bsky.social, @englishplacenames.bsky.social, @placenames.bsky.social, @logainm.bsky.social, spns.org.uk, www.ulsterplacenamesociety.org