Hackney has always been a popular residential area for Londoners. From the Middle Ages to the 19th century, wealthy Londoners have chosen Hackney as their favourite place to live.
The name Hackney comes from a Saxon settlement of the 5th and 6th centuries, at which time it was called ‘Haca’sey’, a reference to the high marshland ground owned by Haca, a local Danish landowner. It wasn’t until 1198 when the first records appear bearing the name we know today: Hackney.
Hackney has always been a popular residential area for Londoners. From the Middle Ages to the 19th century, wealthy Londoners found Hackney to be their favourite residential area. In 1889, it was the largest Middlesex parish to be included in the county of London, covering around 3,300 acres.
A famous London theatres is to be found in Hackney, the Hackney Empire. One of the largest music halls in the East End, the theatre played host to many famous British ‘celebrities’, including Charlie Chaplin, Stan Laurel and W.C. Fields. Pictured here is the famous sign bearing the legend ‘Hackney Empire’.
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