This combination of catalogue and analysis argues that many more major place names in England predate the Anglo-Saxon invasion than has previously been thought. Others enshrine early names with a complex structure, often reflecting the influence of geographical features. Introductory chapters examine names with a non-Celtic origin, including London, Brittonic river names, such as Poulter, Test and Weaver, and early Irish names in England. Regional chapters contain fully-referenced articles which trace the development of specific names through Saxon and medieval sources, notably Domesday . A number of the articles have been previously published in journals but have since been revised. Includes a gazetteer of names.