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2001

Macamathehou and the existence of the name Muhammad in Medieval England

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Amirah

Origins of 'Macamatheou'

In 2001, the local name Macamathehou became of interest by Kenneth Cameron, John Field and John Insley in the Place-Names of Lincolnshire VI (PNL). Within this, they identify two elements of the name, one being Old Norse (the North Germanic language of medieval Norway, Iceland, Denmark and Sweden up to the 14th century) meaning 'mound, or barrow' and the Middle English Macomet/Mecamethe which is said to have derived from the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

The name 'Macomet/Mecamethe does not work as a common Middle English name that has derived from the name 'Muhammad/Mahomet', instead it is indicative of the word heathen or pagan idols, which is largely based upon the dominating Christian belief during the 12-14th century, that Muslims worshipped the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as a God (an incorrect belief). This conclusion that the name means heathen or idols is one that is supported by PNL who agree with this claim.

Richard Coate argues that in Spridlington Parish, 'Macamatheou' is a name that means 'heathen mound' and there are a multitude of references to 'heathen' barrows which underpin this claim. There are, of course, disputes to this claim, with some people arguing that the name 'Macametheou' could potentially be derived from the name Mahomet/Muhammad as the names relating to the meanings of mounds and barrows were often people who had large estates or land within the area.

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Sources and Attribution

 Cameron, Field and Insley, Place-Names of Lincolnshire VI, p. 211.

Dr Caitlin R Green, 'Macamathehou in Lincolnshire and the evidence for people named Muhammad in medieval England'

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