Monday 11 April 2016

A-Z Challenge 2016: I is for Isabella Murch 1853

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com


Isabella Murch's birth was registered in the Marylebone Registration District, Middlesex, England in the September quarter of 1853 (July, August, and September).  If you have never lived there, there is often some confusion as to how you pronounce 'Marylebone' (and there is still confusion if you have!).



 Here's my ever-popular potted history of the name:

 1.  Named after a church called St Mary-by-the-Tyburn (because the church was next to the Tyburn stream/river, which went from Hampstead to the Thames).
THEN
2.  13th century, almost all the aristocracy in England speak French as their main language: it becomes St-Mary-a-le-Bourne (bourne being French for stream)
THEN
3.  We slowly get St Marylebone

So, technically it is Marry-leh-bon
Some people prefer Marry-le-bone
Other people prefer Marly-bone



Isabella features in the Murch Surname Study.


© 2016 Ros Haywood. All Rights Reserved

4 comments:

  1. No matter how you pronounce it, Marylebone seems like an odd name.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And that's one of the more sensible ones *grin*

      Hurrah for England!

      Delete
  2. I've wondered about that name - now I know, thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Up until now, I have always winced when someone turned up born in Marylebone, and wondered if I was pronouncing it right (in my head) as Marley-bone, so this post was a must!

      Delete

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