Why do the stately homes of England have names?

English manor houses were sometimes named for geographical features. Sometimes they were named after particular farm fields or road crossings, fords or bridges. Sometimes the owner of a manor house gave it a name he simply liked. Though it is not medieval, Jane Austen's book, Pride and Prejudice provides a few names that illustrate this. Hunsford is clearly named for a Ford crossing a stream or river. Longbourne takes its name from a stream or brook, which is what bourne means. Netherfield is a low field. And Lucas Lodge was given its name by Sir William Lucas, who had just purchased it.