© www.dover-kent.co.uk 2024
Dover: Lock and Key of the Kingdom
The Origins of Dover’s Name
The name of town of Dover and that of the river Dour share
the same origin. The Ancient British word dubra meant 'the
waters'.
This name was taken up by the Romans who called their
settlement Dubris. By AD 696 the name was recorded as
Dofras and about AD 1000 it was Doferum.
About 1040 the land surrounding the river is described as
Doferware broc: marshy land (broc - Old English) belonging
to the Doferware, or people of Dover.
the same origin. The Ancient British word dubra meant 'the
waters'.
This name was taken up by the Romans who called their
settlement Dubris. By AD 696 the name was recorded as
Dofras and about AD 1000 it was Doferum.
About 1040 the land surrounding the river is described as
Doferware broc: marshy land (broc - Old English) belonging
to the Doferware, or people of Dover.
The town and river seem to have shared the name at one time and developed separate identities as the names have changed over the
centuries. The river Dour is first recorded in its present form in 1577. In 1610 the town of Dover is recorded as Douer and passed
through other various spellings such as Dovor and Dower before settling down to its present spelling in the 19th century.
Other place name origins in Dover:
Buckland - Land granted by deed or charter - Old English bocland.
Charlton - The farmstead of the churls (peasants) - Old English ceorla tun.
Crabble - Crab hole, a hole in which crabs are found - Old English crabba hol.
Kearsney - A place where cress grows - Old French cressonniere.
centuries. The river Dour is first recorded in its present form in 1577. In 1610 the town of Dover is recorded as Douer and passed
through other various spellings such as Dovor and Dower before settling down to its present spelling in the 19th century.
Other place name origins in Dover:
Buckland - Land granted by deed or charter - Old English bocland.
Charlton - The farmstead of the churls (peasants) - Old English ceorla tun.
Crabble - Crab hole, a hole in which crabs are found - Old English crabba hol.
Kearsney - A place where cress grows - Old French cressonniere.
