As the face of Birmingham has changed through the centuries, so has the spelling of its name. Birmingham has grown from a tiny village on the banks of the River Rea - in the Domesday Book it was only worth twenty shillings - to become the second city in England. The name probably dates from Anglo-Saxon times. Brem or Berm an Anglo-Saxon name ingas descendants ham the home (from http://www.virtualbrum.co.uk/facts.htm on 2007-11-23 095522) The lord of the manor in the 12th century was Peter de Bermingham. His name was spelt in various ways even in his lifetime. The spelling Birmingham was not used consistently until the 18th century.


Explore the 144 spellings below