In Wolverhampton, where I live, there is a district called Merry Hill.
David Horowittz's Place Names of Staffordshire says "From OE myrge
'pleasant, sweet, delightful, agreeable'". And another local district,
Merridale, is said "probably" to derive from the same word.
In the case of the tree at Benenden it might help to look at local place
names. In any case the earliest versions of names are always useful.
>>A notable ash tree once stood on the higest point in Benenden in Kent.
>>It is said to have been visible from the sea more than 12 miles away.
>>Mentions of the tree are from 1659, 1790s and December 1876, when it
>>fell in a great storm. It was known as the "Merry Tree" and I wonder if
>>the name carries a meaning.
>>
>>Ernie Pollard
>
>
>Frank Sharman
>Wolverhampton
>01902 763246
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