Blast From The Past

House naming is an old British custom which began with the gentry naming their manors, halls and castles. This custom gradually spread to the masses and ordinary folk began naming their homes.  Originally the house name was based on who the house was tied to or located at.

Trades also began to start naming their properties for example Forge Cottage or Mill House, other property owners followed suit naming their houses after distinguishing features within the boundaries of the house such as Oak Cottage, Rose Cottage.

Today people draw inspiration from many varieties of source:

• The previous usage of the building like The Barn, The old Rectory.
• Well known beauty spots, such as Windermere.
• Happy holiday places like Sorrento.
• Features of the house for example Red gables, Two Chimneys.
• The view from the property, River view, Mountain View.
• Animals usually seen in the area such as Cuckoo Cottage, Fox Cottage.

Act of Parliament

In 1765 an act of Parliament stated that all new properties must have a house number and street name. From then on every house built in a town or city has designated number followed by the name of the road it is located in.  The first house in the road is number one and the last house is the number of individual dwellings or buildings in the street. Usually odd numbers are to the left of the street and even numbers to the right.

What’s in a name?

Even though each house has a designated number it does not mean you can’t personalise it with a house name as well.  Agents can advise clients to change house names regularly, nothing too quirky or obscure but something established and English. ‘The Cottage’ has been Britain’s most popular house name with ‘The Old Rectory’ leading the over £800,000 category, with ‘The Coach House leading the £350,000 - £800,000 bracket.  

Names can be about association, The Old Rectory conjuring up Georgian or Victorian ideals of summer afternoons, fetes or village life for example.

Name changes can raise the profile of the property and help define them and make them appear more prestigious. 

New or Old

A house name such as ‘The Cottage’ does not blend with a new home build so developers tend to use names of famous architects or aristocrats for new builds.

Some view the house name as adding to a home’s desirability rather than the actual value and it is worth noting that a new house name could work against the sale for example adding ‘Manor’ detracts from some properties as people imagine something grander and larger than they see. 

Last but not least

At David Jordan Estate Agents we are creative, inspirational and responsive to our clients and to the ever changing face of our industry.  So if you are thinking of selling, buying or letting then give us a call.

David Jordan Estate Agents are on hand to welcome you as a new client or welcome you as one of existing clients with lot of advice and tips to help you.

Call or email us using the details on our website www.davidjordan.co.uk