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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Somerset => Topic started by: Geoff on Wednesday 17 June 20 05:01 BST (UK)

Title: Place meaning
Post by: Geoff on Wednesday 17 June 20 05:01 BST (UK)
Hi All Chatters,

In my searches of Somerset and other shires I often see a place name like Fisherman's Row and other such names. In my latest searches around Martock I have come across places like Hurst Bow and Hinton Bow.  Could somebody tell me what does the BOW represent or mean in those names.?

Thank you,
Geoff   ???
Title: Re: Place meaning
Post by: KGarrad on Wednesday 17 June 20 06:24 BST (UK)
Could the word Bow have a similar derivation to Bower?
As in Bower Hinton - meaning an attractive dwelling or retreat.
Title: Re: Place meaning
Post by: medpat on Wednesday 17 June 20 07:11 BST (UK)
Looking at these synonyms I wonder if it's a description of the shape of the land in the area

Synonyms: Noun
angle, arc, arch, bend, crook, curvature, curve, inflection, turn, wind

Synonyms: Verb
arc, arch, bend, crook, curve, fall off, hook, round, sweep, swerve, trend, wheel
Title: Re: Place meaning
Post by: Kay99 on Wednesday 17 June 20 07:21 BST (UK)
Posssibly a bow in the road as on this map :-\  https://maps.nls.uk/view/122163782#zoom=5&lat=7756&lon=9867&layers=BT
Title: Re: Place meaning
Post by: stanmapstone on Wednesday 17 June 20 08:19 BST (UK)
In Somerset Dialect a Bow is a small arched bridge.

Stan
Title: Re: Place meaning
Post by: stanmapstone on Wednesday 17 June 20 08:35 BST (UK)
Gawbridge Bow is a bridge over the river Parrett
https://maps.nls.uk/view/122163770#zoom=5&lat=5030&lon=2829&layers=BT

Stan
Title: Re: Place meaning
Post by: KGarrad on Wednesday 17 June 20 08:40 BST (UK)
Quote from: stanmapstone on Wednesday 17 June 20 08:19 BST (UK)
In Somerset Dialect a Bow is a small arched bridge.

Stan

Interesting Stan ;D

It's also the same for Scottish & Yorkshire dialect.
(from English Dialect Dictionary - https://books.google.im/books?id=SNARAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA363&lpg=PA363&dq=Bow+dialect+bridge&source=bl&ots=vAd6eBuJem&sig=ACfU3U3Hj0Flt56zcpO5ym2Hu-59nqiICA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwinx9jdq4jqAhX9QxUIHR6YDxsQ6AEwEnoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=Bow%20dialect%20bridge&f=false)
Title: Re: Place meaning
Post by: stanmapstone on Wednesday 17 June 20 12:01 BST (UK)
You can see photograph of  the Bow bridge in Bruton Somerset at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bow_Bridge,_Plox#/media/File:Bow_Bridge_Bruton.jpg

Stan
Title: Re: Place meaning
Post by: Geoff on Thursday 18 June 20 04:18 BST (UK)
Quote from: medpat on Wednesday 17 June 20 07:11 BST (UK)
Looking at these synonyms I wonder if it's a description of the shape of the land in the area

Synonyms: Noun
angle, arc, arch, bend, crook, curvature, curve, inflection, turn, wind

Synonyms: Verb
arc, arch, bend, crook, curve, fall off, hook, round, sweep, swerve, trend, wheel
After a bit more reading I have found that it was situated on a rise or hill, is there a chance that BOW is a reference to a HILL or Mountain. ?
Title: Re: Place meaning
Post by: Geoff on Thursday 18 June 20 05:50 BST (UK)
To Stan Kay99 & K Garrad,
You are all right Hinton Bow is a bridge over a river and leads to Hinton Meads Drove which is a large area of farms & Orchards.
Thank you all.
Cheers
Geoff