Berkshire, often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire due to the presence of Windsor Castle,[1] is a geographic, ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South East England. Berkshire’s old name, Bearrocscir, first appears in King Alfred the Great’s time in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle of 893 AD. The name comes from a wood of box trees, called Bearroc (a Celtic word meaning hilly).[2]
The geographic county occupies the valleys of the middle Thames and its tributary, the Kennet, immediately to the west of London. It is divided into six unitary authorities: Bracknell Forest, Reading, Slough, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead, and Wokingham. The county covers an area of approximately 487 square miles (1,262 square kilometers).[3]
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Berkshire: industry agriculture and attractionsBerkshire: industry agriculture and attractions
The economy of Berkshire is varied. The eastern part of the county, particularly around Reading, is known for its high-tech industry and software development. Major companies like Microsoft and Oracle have established campuses in the area. Slough has also developed as an industrial center.[4] While Berkshire is not particularly known for mining, the region has a history of quarrying, especially for chalk and gravel.[5]
Agriculture in Berkshire is primarily concentrated in the western part of the county. The chalk downs support cereal crops, and areas like Newbury and Lambourn are known for their racehorses.[6] The Berkshire College of Agriculture, located in Burchetts Green, offers various agricultural courses and training.
Berkshire boasts several notable attractions. Windsor Castle is one of the most famous royal residences in the world. Highclere Castleis known as the filming location for the TV series "Downton Abbey". The Uffington White Horse is an ancient chalk figure carved into the hillside.
Berkshire HistoryBerkshire History
Berkshire’s origins can be traced back to the Paleolithic period, with evidence of human activity dating back to 10,500 years ago. The Berkshire Downs supported numerous prehistoric settlements, and the Uffington White Horse, an Iron Age hill figure, is a notable archaeological monument.[6]
During the Roman period, Berkshire saw significant activity. The town of Silchester, southwest of Reading, became a major Roman crossroads.[6] Evidence of Roman occupation has been found in various parts of the county, including Newbury.[7]
In the Anglo-Saxon period, Berkshire was contested by the kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia. Alfred the Great, born in Wantage in 848, is one of the most notable figures from this time.[7] Relics of Saxon occupation have been discovered in various parts of the county, including burial grounds at Long Wittenham and Frilford.[8]
The 18th century saw the construction of numerous country houses in Berkshire, with nearly 100 built between 1750 and 18005. The county was predominantly agricultural, but the development of market towns also played a significant role in its economy.[9]
The 19th century was a period of significant change for Berkshire. The Great Western Railway reached Didcot in 1839, enhancing connectivity.[10] The county also saw the establishment of Berkshire County Council in 1889, with Reading eventually becoming the official county town. The period was marked by economic challenges, including bad harvests and unemployment.[11]
Today, Berkshire is a vibrant county with a diverse population. Immigration statistics show that people come to the UK, including Berkshire, for various reasons such as work, study, and family. The county continues to evolve, reflecting the broader trends in the UK.[12]
Berkshire county parishes and unparished areasBerkshire county parishes and unparished areas
There are 104 civil parishes in the ceremonial county of Berkshire, most of the county being parished; Reading is completely unparished; Bracknell Forest, West Berkshire and Wokingham are entirely parished. At the 2001 census, there were 483,882 people living in the 104 parishes, accounting for 60.5 per cent of the county's population.[13]
Berkshire geographyBerkshire geography
Reading is the largest town in Berkshire and serves as the county town. It is a significant commercial center and in 2024 population is estimated at 352,913.[14] Berkshire’s landscape is diverse, featuring the Thames Valley in the east, which includes stretches of river gravels and terraces. The western part of the county is characterized by the chalk downs, or uplands, which reach heights of up to 975 feet (297 meters) at Inkpen Beacon.[6] The county also includes areas of forested land, such as Windsor Great Park and Swinley Forest.
Researching family history in BerkshireResearching family history in Berkshire
The Royal Berkshire Archives exists to collect, care for, share and promote the rich archival heritage of the Royal County. There are around 200 ancient parishes in Berkshire: the Royal Berkshire Archives holds the registers for all but one. Taken together with around 100 Victorian or later parishes, you can discover nearly 500 years of family history.[15] The Berkshire Family History Society was founded in 1975 to meet the needs of those researching their ancestry across the UK and overseas. The Berkshire Record Society is publishing key sources of Berkshire history.
Ethnicities in BerkshireEthnicities in Berkshire
The ethnicity distribution of the Berkshire population is as follows:[16]
| Ethnicity | Berkshire county | England & Wales (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| Asian | 17.1% | 9.3% |
| Black | 3.8% | 4.0% |
| Mixed | 3.6% | 2.9% |
| Other | 2.4% | 2.1% |
| White | 73.1% | 81.7% |
Surnames in BerkshireSurnames in Berkshire
Explore more about BerkshireExplore more about Berkshire
MyHeritage.com has 351 collections that contain millions of English records that cover a huge variety of genealogical historical events that can help you find your ancestors. The MyHeritage Knowledge Base contains helpful information about genealogical research. The Legacy Family Tree Webinars website contains more than 2000 valuable genealogical webinars including over 50 webinars about English research.
See alsoSee also
- English genealogy
- English immigration
- English emigration
- English archives
- England historical records
- Vital records in England
- Birth records in England
- Death records in England
- Marriage records in England
- Census records in England
- Civil registrations in England
- Church records in England
- Newspaper records in England
- English military records
References
- ↑ Royal Berkshire: County of Kings
- ↑ History and heritage of Berkshire
- ↑ Map of Berkshire - Visit South East England
- ↑ Berkshire: Economy second only to London, report shows
- ↑ Horton's Neolithic houses
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Berkshire | England, Map, History, & Facts | Britannica
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Newbury | Market Town, Historic Site, Saxon Settlement | Britannica
- ↑ Anglo-Saxons: a brief history
- ↑ An Historical Atlas of Berkshire
- ↑ Great Western Railway
- ↑ RBH: History of Georgian & Victorian Berkshire
- ↑ Immigration system statistics, year ending March 2024
- ↑ About: Civil parishes in Berkshire
- ↑ Reading, United Kingdom Population 2024
- ↑ Parish registers and other records | The Royal Berkshire Archives
- ↑ Berkshire Census 2021