A Burton-based researcher and cultural heritage champion has been elected to the Council of the English Place Name Society (EPNS), the UK’s foremost authority on the origins and meanings of historic place names.
Dr Mark Knight, Senior Cultural Heritage Officer at Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, joins the national council of the Society, which has been documenting England’s place names for over a century. Established in 1923, the EPNS has produced 96 volumes so far, county by county, in one of the most ambitious historical and linguistic projects in the country.
Over the years, the Society has attracted some of the most influential names in historical and linguistic research. Past members include historian Sir Frank Stenton, renowned place-name scholar Dr Margaret Gelling, and author J.R.R. Tolkien, who famously drew on English place-name traditions to shape the geography of Middle-earth in his fantasy novels.
Dr Knight’s appointment reflects a growing recognition of the vital role played by local research and community involvement in the field. Recently, he has worked in partnership with the Institute for Name-Studies (INS) at the University of Nottingham, where the EPNS has been based since 1967. Together, they launched a pilot study of Staffordshire field-names using 19th-century tithe maps to unearth forgotten names and stories of the landscape.
This is a real honour and an outstanding acknowledgement of the work we’ve done so far. The field-name project engages local volunteers in the painstaking process of recovering and analysing names from historic tithe maps. It helps restore an often-overlooked layer of regional history and shows how place names can connect people to their heritage.
I’m looking forward to continuing our partnership with the INS and expanding the tithe map project to more areas of Staffordshire. This work supports our efforts in nature conservation by grounding them in deep cultural context.
Field names, often passed down for generations, provide valuable clues about land use, soil conditions and human activity in the past. They also help to inform and enrich current restoration efforts led by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. By uncovering and preserving this linguistic heritage, the project demonstrates that place names are not just historical curiosities but meaningful links to the landscapes we live in today.
Professor Jayne Carroll, Honorary Secretary of the Society and Professor of Early English and Name Studies at the University of Nottingham, welcomed the news.
The EPNS is delighted to welcome Dr Knight as a new Council member and an outstanding ambassador for place-name studies in local research and community engagement. As the Society enters its second century, this kind of work ensures that the stories embedded in England’s landscape continue to be discovered, preserved and celebrated for generations to come.
Dr Knight’s appointment marks a proud and significant moment for Staffordshire, highlighting the county’s ongoing commitment to championing local expertise and leadership. It serves as a powerful reminder that the voices of local communities are not only valuable but essential in the effort to preserve and protect the cultural and natural heritage that defines our shared environment. As someone deeply rooted in the region, Dr. Knight brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and a unique perspective that will help ensure that local traditions, landscapes, and historical narratives are respected and maintained for future generations. This milestone underscores the importance of inclusive decision-making and the vital role that regional leaders play in shaping sustainable and meaningful conservation efforts.
