Where might you meet a boy named Jesus? How did J M Barrie dream up the name Wendy for his leading lady? What were the top 20 boy’s names in 1800 and 1950? Where do the surnames Shufflebotham, Pugh and Purdyoriginate? Westward Ho! is the only place name in Britain which contains an exclamation mark; do you know why? And how did the village of Great Snoring gets its name?

If you find these questions interesting, Clues from Names is the book for you. It is clearly written and colourful, and the content is truly fascinating.

John D Clare