Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Roumelond 1331 ADv t.Ed4 Rental

• Romeland 1533 WalthamD

Etymology

The Rome Land (local) is Roumelond (1331 AD v, t. Ed 4Rental ) and Romeland (1533 WalthamD). This was “a spacious place in this Town, at the entrance of the Abby , built about with houses, called Romeland , as Peter-pence were termed Romescot at this day. It is generally believed that the rents thereof peculiarly belonged to the Church of Rome ” (Fuller 8). But the existence of another Romeland at Billingsgate (the rounde londe , the rome londe 1422, 1423 Chambers & Daunt, London English 124, 133), which was a piece of open ground near the docks where ships could unload their cargoes, suggests that Fuller's explanation is a piece of antiquarian fancy. Rather, 'empty, unoccupied land,' v. rum . Cf. Romeland Hill, a street in St Albans, Romeland 1556AOMB .