Cheshire uk

Cheshire's name was originally derived from an early name for Chester and first occurred as Legeceasterscir in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles.^[5] Its name meant the shire of the city of legions.^[6] It was first recorded in 980, but it is thought that the county was created by Edward the Elder around 920.^[6] In the Domesday Book, Chester was recorded as having the name Cestrescir, (Chestershire) which was also derived from the name for Chester in use at the time.^[5] A series of changes that occurred as English itself changed, together with some simplifications, resulted in the name Cheshire, as it occurs today.

Because of the historical close links with the land bordering Cheshire to the west, which became Wales, there is a history of interaction between Cheshire and Wales. The Domesday Book records Cheshire as having two complete Hundreds (Atiscross and Exestan) which later became entirely part of Wales. Additionally, another large portion of the Duddestan Hundred later became known as Maelor Saesneg when it was transferred to Wales.^[7] For this and other reasons, the Welsh name for Cheshire (Swydd Gaerlleon)^[8] is sometimes used within Wales and by Welsh speakers.