🏡 Can a house name be changed?
🏡 How do you change it?
🏡 How much does it cost?
🏡 Can a house have both a name and a number?
🏡 How do you notify Royal Mail?
These were questions I’d pondered for years—until I stumbled upon some intriguing statistics. I was too intrigued not to dive in any further…
House Names in England: A Snapshot
According to Land Registry data from 2011, around 1.4 million homes in towns and villages across England (out of 26 million) have a house name instead of just a number. That’s a modest 5.6% of the housing market, but enough to make house names a mark of distinction.
The Funniest & Most Popular House Names
In 2015, Royal Mail compiled a list of the most common house names in the UK (see at the bottom of the article).
While some homeowners take creativity to another level, by going for names like Bad Manors, Costa Plenty, Fir Kew All, or Dunroamin I’d suggest a bit more consideration.
See, humour is great, but there’s more to naming a house than just a bit of fun… and we are talking of a few thousands of pounds.
Do Named Houses Sell for More?
Renowned estate agency Savills analyzed house names and their impact on property values. Their findings? Properties with a name tend to fetch higher prices, and a surprising percentage sell for over £1 million:
| Property Name | Sales Count | Avg. Price (£) | % Over £1M |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Manor House | 56 | 1,423,128 | 43% |
| (The) Old Rectory | 355 | 1,301,424 | 50% |
| Mallards | 38 | 1,164,150 | 24% |
| (The) Old Vicarage | 325 | 1,086,887 | 39% |
| The Oast House | 31 | 1,038,774 | 45% |
| Lime Tree House | 33 | 981,121 | 21% |
| Manor House/The Manor | 204 | 967,117 | 29% |
| Manor Farm House | 41 | 966,235 | 32% |
| Grove House | 68 | 962,904 | 25% |
| Glebe House | 86 | 940,814 | 31% |
The History Behind House Names
Before you jump on your phone to contact your local Council, and think you’ve come across a shortcut to flipping houses in no time, I must share a fair warning… that the most sceptical won’t be needing because indeed…
🐥🥚 It is a bit of a chicken and egg situation.
Naming homes predates the introduction of house numbering by Parliament in 1765. Traditionally, names were linked to:
- Nature – Oak, Willow, Meadow View
- Historical significance – Manor, Hall, Rectory
- Location & views – Hillside, Sunnyside, Fairview
- Previous function – Coach House, The Old Post Office, Mill House
Given that wealthy landowners started this trend, it makes sense that named houses still command higher prices on average—many come with extensive land, prestigious histories, or scenic locations.
… And if your house is called Hillcrest or Sea View, it is because it sits in a sought after location, hence naturally linked to a higher price tag.
While all of this is true, if we got back to how marketing works, the main effect of a house name is that it
Conjures an image
… in addition to making it stand out by joining this exclusive group of 5.6% of English homes with a name. This effect can be used in conjunction with other techniques to boost the kerb appeal and enhance the perceived value of a property.
It’s easy to relate the name of this property recently listed by Savills for £5,950,000 to its main feature, with the view being the central point of the house.
How to Officially Name or Rename Your House
If you’ve deciding to take the leap and are considering giving your home a name (or changing its existing one), here’s what you need to do:
✅ Pick a name – Look at historical connections, geographical features, or something unique. If using a foreign language, double-check the meaning!
✅ Contact your local council – Approval is needed to ensure the name isn’t already taken.
✅ Pay the fees – Costs vary but typically range between £40 and £150.
✅ Keep the number – If your home has a number, you must still display it and use it for postal purposes.
✅ Register the change – Notify the Land Registry, utility providers, mortgage lender, and council. Emergency services will be informed automatically.
Does a House Name Really Add Value?
While renaming your home isn’t a shortcut to instant profit, it does enhance kerb appeal and marketing perception, helping with the perceived value at resale time. It can also add an air of exclusivity—after all, only 5.6% of homes in England have a name.
If you’re selling, other factors will have a bigger impact on value, such as:
🏡 Home Staging – Staged homes sell 3x faster and for a higher price. And bear in mind that home staging is an investment with a positive ROI, while dropping the price is a loss.
🏡 Presentation & Marketing – High-quality video tours increase engagement by 400%, virtual tours by 20%. Selling a house is a numbers game aimed at maximising chances.
🏡 For Sale Sign – 30-40% of sales in England come from simple signage. Not discreet, not pretty, it will get the neighbours talking, but why missing out?
🏡 Legal Readiness – 30% of sales fall through due to delays. Having documents ready can speed up the process. And if your estate agent is committed to picking the most proceedable buyer, he’ll recommend the ones who also are legally ready.
Most Popular House Names in the UK
| House Name | Popularity |
|---|---|
| Orchard | 11,894 |
| Meadow | 11,473 |
| Rose Cottage | 11,308 |
| Holly | 8,131 |
| Oak | 8,032 |
| Willow | 7,913 |
| School House | 4,323 |
| The Willows | 4,107 |
| Sunnyside | 3,982 |
| Springfield | 3,958 |
| The Old Rectory | 2,500 |
| The Old Vicarage | 2,216 |
| The Old Post Office | 2,060 |
| Ivy House | 1,249 |
| Woodlands | 1,158 |
| Red House | 1,037 |
| White House | 743 |
| Coach House | 233 |
(Source: Royal Mail, 2015)
Final Thoughts
Choosing a house name is more than just tradition—it can subtly enhance your home’s appeal and even increase its value. But the best reason to name your home? Because it means something to you.
So, what would you name your home? 🤔
You know what else can add value to your property? Home staging, and not only can you start practicing well ahead of your house going on the market but you should, to maximise your chances.
Want to find out more about Home Staging, how it works and why it differs from interior design?
You can read more here.