* Old English roots: The name is believed to be derived from the Old English words "til" (meaning "cultivated land") and "burh" (meaning "fort" or "fortified settlement"). This suggests the area was once an important agricultural region with defensive fortifications.
* Historical significance: Tilbury was a strategic location on the River Thames, making it an important port for trade and defense. The nearby "Tilbury Fort" was built in the 16th century to protect London from invasion.
* Saxon influence: The area was likely inhabited by Saxons before the Norman Conquest, as evidenced by the Saxon place names and the remains of Saxon settlements in the area.
Therefore, the name "Tilbury" likely reflects a combination of the area's agricultural use, its strategic location, and its Saxon heritage.
Interestingly, the name "Tilbury" has been used for other locations in England, such as Tilbury in Staffordshire, further highlighting the commonality of this type of place name in English history.