Agawam
Pronunciation: Ag -a -wam
Population as of 2020: 28,692
Incorporated: 1855, as town. 1973, as city
Original Name: asquam?
Agawam is usually presented as the name of a tribe of indigenous people, but this article pretty convincingly disputes that. Anyway, the meaning given there is “beyond the marsh.”
The oldest park in the Six Flags chain is in Agawam, though it wasn’t built as a Six Flags. Real ones remember the thrills and chills of Riverside Park.
Blandford
Pronunciation: BLANF-furd or fuhd
Population as of 2020: 1,215
Incorporated: 1741
Original Name: Hmmm?
Blandford was settled entirely by a group of Scots-Irish folks who had been living in Hopkinton. They called their new home Glasgow or Glascow. Supposedly, the city of Glasgow in Scotland was to send a bell to the new colony, until it was named Blandford instead.
So where did Blandford come from? Apparently from the governor – no, not that one! This was Governor William Shirley, who decided to name the town after the ship that brought him from England (and which someone has built in miniature). Also, the first captain of the Blandford was named Mungo Herdman, which is great name for a seaman.
Brimfield
Pronunciation: BRIM-feeld
Population as of 2020: 3,694
Incorporated: 1731
Original Name: No idea
This source claims the town took its name from Brimpsfield, England.
But this source says “not so fast:”
“Brimfield did not take its name from any local feature, the hills around the village forming the brim of a bowl; nor from any English parish of the same name, though the gazetteers give Brimfield as the name of a parish in England, county of Hereford. The town was known at first as “’the Plantation adjoining Springfield to the East of Springfield.’ For the sake of convenience, it is stated in the records of the committee, that abbreviating this lengthy title, they gave the town the name of Brimfield.”
I don’t really see how you get “Brimfield” out of that but maybe the Rev. Charles M. Hyde was on to something! (As an aside, Brimfield apparently likes a committee, as that word was used a whopping 377 times in that last document.)
Chester
Pronunciation: Like the cheetah
Population as of 2020: 1,228
Incorporated: 1783
Original Name: Not recorded
Chester was once part of Murrayfield, after a John Murray, who was an original proprietor of the township. But there was also a nearby town called Myrifield (later Rowe) The residents of Murrayfield (or, rather, the men) voted to petition the General Court to change the name to Mountfair or “any other name the court shall see fit.” This was reconsidered in 1783 and the town voted to call themselves Fairfield. But the Court saw fit to change the name to Chester, and Chester it remains. (Source)
There is a Chester in England, confusingly in Cheshire. Chester Cheshire. Say that five times fast.
There is also an Earldom of Chester, which traditionally belongs to the Prince or Princess of Wales (at the time, the future George IV). Given the fact that patriot John Hancock was the governor in 1783 it seems unlikely that George would be the namesake. Why the name of Chester was chosen remains a mystery.
Chicopee
Pronunciation: Chick-uh-pee
Population as of 2020: 55,560
Incorporated: 1848 (town), 1890 (city)
Original Name: Chequapee
This is one of those rare towns that has kept its Native name. You can read more about it here.
East Longmeadow
Pronunciation: You can do it!
Population as of 2020: 56,430
Incorporated: 1894
Original Name: Masackisic “the long meadow”
The area that became East Longmeadow was originally called “East Village.”
That was easy, so it sounds like we need a fun fact! East Longmeadow was once known for its brown and red sandstone…some of which was used to build the Smithsonian. Fun! Except, maybe not? After all that research into Brimfield and Cheshire I’m not sure I have it in me to get to the bottom of things.
Granville
Pronunciation: GRAN -vil
Population as of 2020: 1,538
Incorporated: 1754
Original Name: none
Origins of Certain Place Names in the United States says the town is named for John Carteret, Earl of Granville. He was Secretary of State for the Southern District, which meant he was responsible for Britain’s interests in the Americas. He also owned a 1/8 share in the Province of the Carolinas and there is this intriguing line in his Wikipedia article: “He was Seigneur of Sark from 1715 to 1720, when he sold the fief.” I could follow those links and find out what that means, I guess, but I like using my imagination.
Hampden
Pronunciation: It’s a Hamp, followed by a den
Population as of 2020: 1,538
Incorporated: 1754
Original Name: Minnechaug
My new favorite book OCPNUS says the namesake of this town is “English patriot John Hampden,” not to be confused with the English Patient, which is a totally different thing. (I think. I’ve never read it.)
Hampden’s patriotism took the form of fighting for Parliament in the First English Civil War. He was known for being opposed to ship-money, which was a tax on the counties used to pay for naval defense.
Hampden (the man) died during battle in 1643, about a hundred years before Hampden (the town) was settled in 1741. I don’t have a point to make, I just thought that was interesting.
Holland
Pronuciation: HAH-lund (?)
Population as of 2020: 2,603
Incorporated: 1783
Original Name: Massapoag?
Common knowledge states that Holland was named for Lord Holland, an English supporter of the Revolution who later became a royalist and was elevated to the peerage. History of the Town of Holland, Massachusetts says, well, you can’t prove it:
“Holland derived its name, so all agree, from Lord Holland, who, as Charles James Fox, won America’s love as an eloquent defender of her rights, but who subsequently became an ardent royalist and for that reason was elevated to the peerage and given the title of Lord Holland. But we do not find a particle of recorded evidence to prove the claim. That there was a British statesman, a commoner, who brilliantly defended the claims of the American colonies, and who afterwards was raised to the peerage on account of his eloquent defense of the royal prerogative is a matter of English history. But recorded evidence that Holland was given its name in his honor, while probably true, we have not been able to find. We therefore concur for the name itself in presumptive evidence.” (Source)
Holyoke
Pronunciation: Holy-oak
Population as of 2020: 38,248
Incorporated: 1850 (town), 1873 (city)
Original Name: not recorded
Holyoke was named for Mount Holyoke, which was named after Captain Elizur Holyoke, thought to be the first European to explore the area. Historian Henry M. Burt reported that Holyoke had elegant handwriting which is “easily read.” I’ll let you be the judge.
Longmeadow
Pronunciation: How you’d think!
Population as of 2020: 15,853
Incorporated: 1783
Original Name: Masacksic
Masacksic is the Agawam term for “long meadow.”
Fun fact: The Longmeadow Historical Society has restored Reverend Richard Salter Storrs’ cherrywood desk. Check it out!
Ludlow
Pronunciation: Lud-lo, Lud-luh
Population as of 2020: 21,002
Incorporated: 1775
Original Name: not recorded
Get Lost in Ludlow reports that the name was “inspired by Ludlow, England.” That Ludlow has an 11th century castle.
Monson
Pronunciation: Mun-sun
Population as of 2020: 21,002
Incorporated: 1775
Original Name: not recorded
Monson was originally part of Brimfield and was named upon incorporation by Governor Pownall (a new Governor has entered the arena!). Pownall chose the name in honor of his friend Admiral Monson, President of the British Board of Trade. (History of Monson Massachusetts) Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find the guy. At least, not an Admiral. But there was a Lord Monson on that Board. Oh, here he is: Sir John Monson, first Baronet Monson.
Montgomery
Pronunciation: There don’t seem to be any videos of people saying this
Population as of 2020: 819
Incorporated: 1780
Original Name: not recorded
Named for General Richard Montgomery. Montgomery was an Irish-born Brit who became an American patriot and died in the Siege of Quebec,which I had definitely already heard of.
Montgomery’s commitment to the patriotic cause and his untimely death made him something of a martyr, so it is not surprising that there is at least one town named for him.
Palmer
Pronunciation: Like this?
Population as of 2020: 12,448
Incorporated: 1775
Original Name: not recorded
So, let me get this straight…
Palmer was originally part of Brimfield
It separated and became known as “The Elbow Tract.”
It was renamed New Marlborough
It was renamed Kingsfield after settler John King
It was renamed Palmer after John Palmer, a Chief Justice of the Superior Court of the Dominion of New England OR after Thomas Palmer, a landowner and legislator.
What a journey!
EDITED 7/18/26
This source says:
“This town was settled by immigrants from Ireland in 1727; it was incorporated on January 30, 1752, and named in honor of Chief Justice Palmer.”
I’m going to call it for Palmer.
Russell
Pronunciation: Russ-el
Population as of 2020: 1,643
Incorporated: 1792
Original Name: not recorded
I have to admit, this one has me stumped.
EDITED 7/18/26:
This local history pamphlet answers some questions and raises others!
“It was customary to name such new towns after distinguished,
public-spirited citizens in Boston; Springfield Union-News Associate
Publisher Richard Garvey notes that all paths lead to Benjamin Russell, а
Federalist printer, newspaper publisher, and editor. Local legend
has it that Russell was so flattered that he pledged to give a bell to the
new town’s church. Either Russell died before he could make good on
the promise, or the church burned before the bell could arrive.”
BELLS, BELLS, BELLS!
Southwick
Pronunciation: Like you’d imagine
Population as of 2020: 9,232
Incorporated: 1770
Original Name: not recorded
Before Southwick was its own place it was the “south village or “wick” of Westfield. Here’s an old newspaper article to educate you all about the suffix “wic.”
Springfield
Pronunciation: Spring-feeld
Population as of 2020: 155,929
Incorporated: 1852
Original Name: Agawam
Springfield is the 3rd most populous city in Massachusetts, and it is the county seat. It was founded by William Pynchon in 1636 and named for his hometown in England.
Some fun facts:
The city was originally part of Connecticut
Part of Shay’s Rebellion took place there
The city was a stop on the Underground Railroad
Abolitionist John Brown lived there for 3 years.
Tolland
Pronunciation: Tah-lund
Population as of 2020: 471
Incorporated: 1810
Original Name: none recorded
Welp, the Google AI thingie tells me this town is named for Tolland CT, but I haven’t found any proof yet. The AI bot cites Wikipedia as the source of this information but when you go to Wikipedia the article says no such thing. This is why I tell people to double check everything these hallucination machines tell them.
I mean, it probably was named for the town in CT. But you know me, I’m a real stickler for sources.
Wales
Pronunciation: Like a group of large cetaceans
Population as of 2020: 1,838
Incorporated: 1775
Original Name: none recorded
Named for James Lawrence Wales, described as a “local benefactor.” There is a historic house in Wales but he otherwise left no trace of himself.
West Springfield
Pronunciation: An easy one for you
Population as of 2020: 28,835
Incorporated: 1774 (town), 2000 (city)
Original Name: Agawam
Another simple story: West Springfield started as a settlement on the west side of Springfield.
Westfield
Pronunciation: Another easy one!
Population as of 2020: 40,834
Incorporated: 1669 (town), 1920 (city)
Original Name: Waranoke
From 1669 to 1725 Westfield was the Westernmost settlement in Massachusetts.
Now, onto the good stuff:
Westfield became known as the “pure food town” due to the efforts of Professor Lewis B. Allyn. The Pure Food Movement was dedicated to identifying and removing contaminants from the food supply. This article by Allyn gives you a good idea of what sorts of things were finding their way into foodstuffs in the beginning part of the Twentieth Century.
The professor was even in a 1915 short film called “Poison” about adulterated foods.
Tragically, Allyn was shot and killed in his home one night and the killer has never been found!
Was it because he refused to give a secret formula to a foreign agent?
Somebody should do a podcast about this.
Wilbraham
Pronunciation: WILL-bruh-ham
Population as of 2020: 14,613
Incorporated: 1763
Original Name: Minnechaug
Our last town in Hampden County is Wilbraham, which apparently takes its name from the villages of Lesser and Greater Wilbraham near Cambridge, England. Great Wilbraham is the home of the 13th century Precept of Wilbraham, which was used by the mysterious Knights Templar. (As a bonus, here are some of the rules the Templars followed.)
Well, there you have it. I ran into some roadblocks, but all in all this was a satisfying journey through Hampden County. Next up: Hampshire County, which, I swear, is a totally different place!
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