Somerset Place Names

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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.

Examples 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 ".