Why is 'Great Briton', called 'Great'?

Answer 1

Briton is a term for the Celtic people who lived there in antiquity and the Middle Ages.

Great Britain is the largest island in the British Isles. Because it is the largest of that group of islands, it is termed 'Great.'

Just like in the Caymans, the largest island is called 'Grand' Cayman.

None of the previous answers to your question are correct.....not remotely.

Answer 2

The Romans called it Great Britain, not the British. It was named as the islands were populated by Celts and Britons, who were ethnically and linguistically related to the same peoples that had encountered in the north of France. Some of these tribes in France were the Bretagny (or Brittany as we would spell it in the modern world) and so when they found the same people in Britain, they called the place "Isla Bretagnia", or British Isles. The largest of which, the main Island was the Greatest is size, therefore became known as Great Britain.
And to counter canadian_princess1984's refutation, that it wasn't until the 18th century, elements of the Anglo-Saxon chronicles (12th c) state "... the whole of the islands of Greater Britannia..."

Answer 3

It was called so as it colnised the enitre world once upon a time.The Kingdom ran from England to East(India ) and Australia.Sun was shining some part of the British empire.It was said Sun never set in the British Empire.It was really a Great Britain.Now even after all colonies have got freedom.and Britain is limited to a small group of England,Scotland and Ireland the old name continues.Perhaps they have got a great past or tradtion.

Answer 4

Britain had an Empire many years ago,It was some empire,very BIG, GREAT means big or LARGE if you like. Hence Great Briton,.. Great Britain encompassed a large portion of the world..Im not absolutly sure if thats how Briton got its name but it seens have a ring of logic about it..

Answer 5

When England acquired Wales, the term "Britain" came into use, since it was now more than England.
And when Scotland joined England and Wales in the Union of 1707, the new country - now much larger - became known as "Greater Britain" or just "Great Britain".
This was originally just on the grounds of geography, but during the period of rampant colonialism in the 19th century the word "Great Britain" was more and more employed in jongoistic terms. Unfortunately this is still going on.

Answer 6

The Romans didn't call it Great Britain, it was named so after 1707 when Scotland became part of what is now known as Great Britain along with Wales and England.

Answer 7

Blame the French.
In French, Britain is 'Bretagne', the same as the French name for Brittany. To differentiate between the two, the French named Britain 'Grande Bretagne' or 'Big Brittany' which evolved over time to 'Great Britain'.
So - they're not just good for cheese, wine and unconditional surrender.

Answer 8

The Romans gave it this name.When they conquered and settled in regions towards the northern part of Europe.They first came across the North Western part of Gaul which they called Brittany.Later,when they crossed the channel they discovered a larger region consisting of the same celtic tribes where the same language was spoken [Celtic].They then named this area great Brittain

Answer 9

they once ruled the trade routes on the seas and colonized many countries(as did Holland)

accumulated colonial wealth,which continues to grow after the colonies aparant independance.

nevertheless under the table,the political and financial control remains. Britain in past times was publicly Great and today,the Great bit is mostly hidden

,the same goes for little Holland or Luxembourg (they lend every body money,to colonise and to conquer),

immense hidden powers financially ,religious and political .but it is all under the table,anonymous and secret
from Babylondon ,the Biderberg group and the Round table .

Answer 10

It's absolutey nothing to do with military or political greatness.
Great Britain is the term for the largest island in the British Isles. It is a purely geographical term.
Like North Carolina doesn't mean that North Carolina is at the north pole it is merely used to describe its geographical relation to South Carolina.