Its a land survey, compiled in 1086, that covered much of england and parts of wales. Domesday book simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. It is the record of a survey which, according to the anglosaxon chronicle, william the conqueror ordered to be taken at christmas 1085. Cornwall, devon, dorset, somerset, wiltshire exon domesday bedfordshire, buckinghamshire, cambridgeshire, hertfordshire, middlesex. Depending on the culture, all members of a family unit may have identical surnames or there may be variations based on the cultural rules. The listing is certainly wideranging, but it has only a little in common with the original domesday book, which was ordered by william i in 1085 to assess the wealth of england for possible taxation purposes. He has published books on the history of religions and the development of languages. The domesday book or, colloquially, domesday is the expression used since the late twelfth century to refer to the record of the great inquisition or survey of the lands of england, their extent, value, ownership, and liabilities, made by order of william the conqueror in 1086. The female names below appeared in the open domesday database just once, except where noted. In both indexes the exact latin forms given in domesday book and all variant spellings have been retained. The survey was similar to a census by a government of today.
The place names found in the domesday book are township and estate names, and may include other villages and hamlets that receive no specific mention in the text. This page simply lists all places mentioned in domesday book. It was once thought that the vine was reintroduced into england by the normans after an absence of almost 700 years following the departure of the romans. The world of domesday exhibition depicts life in 11th century england. The domesday book is actually not one book but two. Along with a string of castles throughout england, the domesday book was to give william huge. We looked at names from king henry iiis fine rolls th century a couple of weeks ago, so now lets go back a bit further and look at names from the domesday book 11th century. Collection of domesday lectures by david roffe historian david roffes contemporary views on domesday, its content and purpose the conqueror and his companions extensive information on many of those who arrived in england with william in 1066, and became the most powerful landowners in the domesday book.
Depending on the culture, all members of a family unit may have identical surnames or there may be. Great domesday covers parts of wales and most of modern england except for northern areas then under control of the then kingdom of scotland and little domesday. The written record of a census and survey of english landowners and their property made by order of william the conqueror in. Abraham farleys edition 17731783 domesday book was an item of great interest to the antiquarian movement of the 18th century. T he domesday book is the result of a record made at the time of william the conquerors survey of england in 1086. Domesday definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Domesday book was the result of the great survey commissioned by william the conqueror at gloucester at christmas 1085. This was the age of the county history, with many accounts of the english shires being published at this time, and domesday book, as a property record of early date that happened to be arranged by county, was a major source for the medieval history of all the. Female names in the domesday book nancys baby names. The record of landownership is far from complete, but it is clear that dartford was a thriving agricultural community in norman times. The domesday book is the record of the great survey of much of england, and parts of wales, completed in 1086, done for william i of england, or william the conqueror the domesday book also known as domesday, or book of winchester was a record of all taxable land in england, together with such information as would indicate its worth. This page simply records all owner names mentioned in domesday book. Domesday book sources for research in english genealogy. The component elements of the name are the old english pre 7th century dema, a judge, plus daege, a servant, medieval english deme deye.
Domesday book also known as domesday, or book of winchester was the record of the great survey of england completed in 1086, executed for william the conqueror. William commissioned the book because his power was being threatened. Media in category domesday book the following 38 files are in this category, out of 38 total. Domesday book domesday book was unique in western europe and it set a standard. This first english census, considered by some as the most remarkable administrative accomplishment of the middle ages, provides a record of english social.
The text was written in an abbreviated and stylized clerical. Domesday book 1086 the middle ages encompass one of the most exciting periods in english history. Apr 06, 2012 most of the names in the domesday book are male, as most landowners were men. The domesday book records details of a survey of land ownership and taxation that was completed in 1086 under the direction of william the conqueror. The domesday book is the record of the great survey of much of england, and parts of wales, completed in 1086, done for william i of england, or william the conqueror. Surnames mentioned in the domesday book british surnames. The first volume great domesday contains the final summarized record of all the counties surveyed except essex, norfolk, and suffolk. The domesday book is one of medieval englands greatest treasures. An index of latin personal and place names in domesday book 1st by k. For the record, i overlooked entries in which one persons name was used to refer to another person, e. Servus, translated as slave in the phillimore edition, is sometimes rendered as serf. Domesday book definition of domesday book by the free.
A surname, family name, or last name is the portion in some cultures of a personal name that indicates a persons family or tribe or community, depending on the culture. The domesday book also known as domesday, or book of winchester was a record of all taxable land in england, together with such information as would indicate its worth. Domesday book synonyms, domesday book pronunciation, domesday book translation, english dictionary definition of domesday book. Produced under the supervision of the most renowned domesday scholars, this authoritative translation of the complete domesday offers a. In the 11th century, surnames were still in a state of flux and many people still did not have what we would consider a surname. The national archives education service domesday book. The placenames found in the domesday book are township and estate names, and may include other villages and hamlets that receive no specific mention in the text. First, the way in which preconquest landholders are recorded in domesday book makes it difficult to identify individuals. The domesday book online contents of the domesday book. Domesday book domesday book is the oldest government record held in the national archives.
The first, called little domesday, covers essex, norfolk, and suffolk. This short three minute video covers what the domesday book is. The domesday book is closely linked with william the conquerors attempt to dominate medieval england. Sawyer, ma assistant in history in the university of edinburgh domesday book is important not only for historians but also for students of english place names. Domesday is now available online, and you can search for your town or village, and download images of domesday along with an. Sawyer, ma assistant in history in the university of edinburgh domesday book is important not only for historians but also for students of english placenames. The male names below appeared in the open domesday database just once, except where noted. Random names domesday surnames the domesday book was compiled on the orders of william the conquerer to catalogue the ownership and value of land in the newly conquered territories of england. He pursued a career in international relations at geneva, switzerland and earned a doctorate from basel university. Definition of domesday from the collins english dictionary. May 21, 2016 this short three minute video covers what the domesday book is. In fact there are two domesday books little domesday and about england in the 11th century. The text of domesday book, the record of the great survey of england completed in 1086 executed for william i of england, was first edited by abraham farley in the 1770s. Domesday extracts online service offering high quality prints and pdfs of domesday book for your chosen settlement.
The domesday book entry for tarentfort dartford provides a snapshot view of dartford in 1086. I have replaced the medial s with a short s to make the lists more readable. By contemporaries the whole operation was known as the description of england, but the popular name domesday i. In 1086, king william i the conqueror wanted to find out about all the land in his new kingdom. In the 11th century, surnames were still in a state of flux and many people still did not have what we would consider a. Domesday book attributes about 27,000 parcels of property to people bearing about 1,200 different personal names.
One of the most important historical events of the medieval era is the domesday book. To see full names of counties hold your mouse over the name. The main manuscript, socalled great domesday, written by a single scribe, contains the final version of the surveys of all english counties south of the rivers ribble and tees, with the exception of norfolk, suffolk, and essex. The name domesday book, commonly applied from the 12th century ce, may derive from doom, the term for a customary law in anglosaxon england, or be a reference to the day of judgement, referred to in the bibles book of revelation, reminding that the records in domesday book were final and could not be disputed. Hallam, domesday book through nine centuries london, 1986 a survey of how the domesday book has been used since its composition, and how antiquarians and historians have viewed the record. The most substantial change in this revised version of the original dataset 1a, 2007 is the addition of a single file ids. I have transcribed all names exactly as they appear in my sources with one exception. Personal names in the domesday book by constanza of thamesreach genny grim. Jan 01, 1985 when you hear something called the doomsday book you expect the mother of all of dystopia novels. Why it was written and what was involved in making it. Domesday book definition is a record of a survey of english lands and landholdings made by order of william the conqueror about 1086.
Domesday book also known as domesday, or book of winchester was the record of the great survey of england completed in 1086, executed for william i of england. Domesday book is the earliest, and by far the most famous, english public record. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. How many places listed in the domesday book still exist. What is known as domesday book is in fact a composite work in two volumes. Amazingly almost all of the places mentioned in the domesday book can be found on a present day map of england and wales, though many of their names have been altered over time from their 11th century versions. For these three counties the full, unabbreviated return sent in to winchester by the commissioners is preserved in the second volume little domesday, which, for some reason, was never summarized and added to the larger volume. However, when you see the actual title and learn that the book is essentially a summary list of the towns and villages in 1086 england, well the domesday book maybe doesnt seem quite so kickass. Click on a county name on the map to continue, or use the list of links below it.
This omission was certainly a quirk of the return from the northern circuit. Vineyards are recorded at 45 places in domesday book, 32 of these in great domesday, all in southeastern england. The first facsimile edition of the manuscripts was made in a project led by the cartographer henry james in the 186. Domesday book, the original record or summary of william is survey of england. The conqueror and his companions extensive information on many of those who arrived in england with william in 1066, and became the most powerful landowners in the domesday book. The national archives is the home of domesday book, the oldest surviving public record. Leicestershire, northamptonshire, oxfordshire, staffordshire, warwickshire. Domesday is now available online, and you can search for your town or village, and download images of domesday along with an english translation of the entry. It is the starting point of recorded history for the majority of english villages and towns which are organized by county. All these vineyards were in the hands of normans or the great abbeys. Domesday book, compiled in 1086 at the behest of william the conqueror, has been described as the most valuable piece of antiquity possessed by any nation david hume and viewed by historians as the final act of the norman conquest. The original 11th century ce name seems to have been more mundane.
Families of the domesday book occupied him for 25 years. Domesday book definition of domesday book by merriamwebster. The majority of these still exist in some form today. The domesday book was compiled on the orders of william the conquerer to catalogue the ownership and value of land in the newly conquered territories of england.
725 508 869 497 375 1406 951 1285 874 783 255 33 921 653 1039 330 197 1149 1443 551 1309 1393 103 536 703 1151 146 1329 74 1521 855 892 791 75 2 624 171 1190 1333 581 1303 1408 236 1405