What's in a Name?

Rooty Hill is such an unusual name that many people have asked what the name means. Was it named for the original land-holder? Was there a Mr Rooty, away back when?

Its origin also puzzled local historians until they learned that the original Rooty Hill is on Norfolk Island.

When Governor King was posted to Norfolk Island in 1788, the unnamed hill on which he chose to build his Government House was a network of tree roots that caused the builders a great deal of trouble. The convict workmen began to call it "the rooty hill" and the name stuck.

King relocated to Sydney and in 1802 built the headquarters for his government at the foot of a hill that reminded him of the one in Norfolk Island.

Our Rooty Hill was also named after the one on Norfolk Island where King had met his future wife and spent several happy, productive years.

The above photograph appeared in Sydney's Daily Telegraph on Jan 19, 2006.
Dubbed Homeshirts, these novel destination T-shirts are the brainchild of Volker Depner. In six months, Depner, 34, has sold 500 navy and white T-shirts customised with the names of Australian suburbs and towns through his web-based business.
"The most-ordered suburb is Rooty Hill," he said.