Somerset Place Names

England Somerset  Place Names

County Towns
The Status of being the County Town of Somerset has changed many times through history.


 * Ilchester During the 11th and 12th century.
 * Somerton During the late 13th century
 * Taunton took over the status of the county town of somerset in about 1366.

Excamples of Places named from geographic features

 * Many places in the County of Somerset have names from rivers or roads. The rivers and road where important trade routes for importing and exporting goods.

Rivers

 * Taunton is the county town and it gets its name from 'Town on the river or Tone Town'. A list of places can be found in Wikipedia.
 * Axbridge the name is suggested to come from a bridge over the river Ax. This was named in about the 9th century.
 * North Petherton the name comes from the area location to the north of the river Perret
 * Ilminster the name is suggested to come from old english meaning " Church on the river Isle ".