RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Wiltshire => Topic started by: Lensmeister on Monday 13 April 20 16:28 BST (UK)
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Hi,
Some of the wife's family originate from Wiltshire from a Village. I've seen two spellings but which is correct?
Compton Chamberlayne (Wiki has it as this)
or
Compton Chamberlain (Some records online)
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I would say the one with the "y"
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Genuki has it as ain
https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/WIL/ComptonChamberlain
but the map on the page has it with a y ::)
add - https://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getcom.php?id=69
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Y
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I have a copy of the Wiltshire Village Book by Michael Marshman, one time Librarian at Warminster Library and noted local historian. His take is Compton Chamberlayne
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Consensus says with the Y
It looks nicer ;)
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Having lived fairly locally (Salisbury) for many years, I have only ever seen this place spelt with a Y. So I had a look at the old maps, and found that in the SW England OS 25 inch 1873-1888 maps it is indeed "Chamberlain". However, all subsequent editions show it with a Y. They must have decided it was more up market!
On a historical note for those not familiar with the area, the area of Compton Chamberlayne and Fovant (the next village) was a vast military encampment in WWI. The regimental badges carved into the chalk downs overlooking the villages are very famous, and although some have been lost those remaining are restored and well worth a visit.