British/European
Richmond
Virginia (VA)est. 1737pop. 229,395/RICH-muhnd/
The meaning
“Rich hill (riche mont)”
How it got the name
William Byrd II named the town in 1737 because the view of the James River from Church Hill reminded him of the Thames seen from Richmond in Surrey. The English name is Norman French riche mont, 'strong or splendid hill,' imported after the Conquest.
Former names
- Shockoe
- Powhatan village of Shocquohocan
- Richmond