The Town of Ramsey as we know it today, is not only a well populated commercial & town but also is home to hundreds of families. But it wasn't always like this.

Years ago, before the draining of the fens took place there was just a handful of islands in a boggy marsh, one of which was Ramsey. The island was linked to the higher clay land by a causeway made of sand, timber & wood which used to lie approximately where Bury road is now situated. Nowadays one of the best assets of Ramsey is it's rich peaty soil which allows agricultural farmers to grow much of the countrys fresh produce but before the draining of this land Ramseys main attribute was its hunting capabilities for things such as fish & fowl and catering for the visitors and pilgrims to the Abbey.

The name of Ramsey is said to have come from several sources,

* Some people say that the towns name comes from the words "Ram-Eye", meaning "Ram-Island". This is said to be, because as said before it was an island & before population by man it was home to much wildlife including a stray Ram.

* Another popular saying is that it is named after (Ramis) which is Latin for branches. So this leads us to believe that it was an island of trees or branches. (Ramorum)

* A city of the Nile is called Rameses, this is where the children of Israel stayed in there flight to Egypt. Although this explanation would seem to be less likely, it is supported by the fact that Hebrew texts once existed in Ramsey Abbey.



* The picture above is of a ceramic Ram & Bull. It is still in one piece & is situated on top of the currently empty shop in the high street next to where the chemist used to stand (Bentons) opposite Londis. The old shop is what used to be "Nobles Shoe Shop". The ceramic animals depicts an old folklore known to the people of Ramsey which is meant to be another source of the name "Ramsey". The Ram & Bull were meant to have fought for the name of the town, the Ram was said to have won & so the town was called Ramsey.