The oldest known name for the island of Great Britain is Albion, used by ancient Greek geographers from the 4th century BCE. However, the name most directly related to the modern "England" is Englaland, the Old English name meaning "land of the Angles." The Angles were one of the Germanic tribes that settled in the area, contributing significantly to the development of the English language and culture.
Different Names Throughout History:
- Albion: The earliest known name, predating Roman occupation.
- Britannia: The name used by the Romans during their rule.
- Englaland (England): The Old English name, reflecting the settlement of the Angles.
The Roman name, Britannia, was also used for a considerable period before and after the Roman era. Later, after the Roman withdrawal, the Anglo-Saxons divided the island into several kingdoms before the emergence of a unified kingdom of England.
William of Poitiers, a Norman historian writing in the 1070s, also noted that "Britannia" was a more ancient name for England. This highlights the evolution of names used to refer to the land that eventually became known as England.
