Frankby

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Frankby
Frankby (Merseyside)
Frankby

Frankby shown within Merseyside
Population 310 (2001 Census)[1]
OS grid reference SJ245868
District Wirral
Shire county Merseyside
Region North West
Constituent country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town WIRRAL
Postcode district CH48
Dialling code 0151
Police Merseyside
Fire Merseyside
Ambulance North West
European Parliament North West England
UK Parliament Wirral West
List of places: UK • England • Merseyside

Coordinates: 53°22′24″N 3°08′10″W / 53.3734, -3.1361

Frankby is a hamlet on the Wirral Peninsula, Merseyside, England and is located between Greasby and West Kirby. It is part of the Greasby, Frankby & Irby Ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral and is situated in the parliamentary constituency of Wirral West. According to the 2001 census, of a total ward population of 14,667,[2] 310 people live in Frankby.[1]

Contents

[edit] Toponymy

The name Frankby come from the Old Norse Frankis-byr, meaning "Franki's/Frakki's (Frenchman's) farm".[3] The "by" suffix, included in neighbouring place names such as Greasby, Irby and Pensby, applies to settlements believed to be Viking in origin.

[edit] History

The settlement of Frankby was mentioned in the Domesday Book entry for neighbouring Greasby.

Frankby was formerly a township in the West Kirby Parish of the Wirral Hundred. The population was 90 in 1801, 138 in 1851, 248 in 1901 and 413 in 1951.[4]

[edit] Description

Frankby contains part of Royden Park with its miniature railway and meres. Named after local landowner Sir Ernest Royden, the park is jointly owned by the National Trust and Wirral Borough Council.

Within the grounds is a large Mock Tudor house known as 'Hillbark', which was erected between 1928 and 1931 by Sir Ernest Royden. Originally known as 'Bidston Court', it was initially sited near Bidston Hill in 1891, but moved brick by brick to its present position in Frankby to replace an earlier dwelling. The house contains a 16th century fireplace, once part of a house belonging to Sir Walter Raleigh.[5]

Frankby's local public house is known as the Farmer's Arms.

The writer, preacher, suffragette and former local inhabitant Dr Maud Royden (1876-1956) is buried in the local church St John the Divine.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Wirral 2001 Census: Frankby. Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. Retrieved on 10 May 2007.
  2. ^ 2001 Census: Greasby, Frankby & Irby. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved on 10 May 2007.
  3. ^ Scandinavians trace their roots in Wirral. icLiverpool. Retrieved on 18 March 2008.
  4. ^ Cheshire Towns & Parishes: Frankby. GENUKI UK & Ireland Genealogy. Retrieved on 11 September 2007.
  5. ^ E-travel Guide: Hillbark Hotel. Retrieved on 11 September 2007.