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The other day I got into a debate on the internet about the name of the Kingdom after the passing of the Act of Union of 1707 which united England and Scotland.

I was under the impression that this new Kingdom was simply called “Great Britain” or the “Kingdom of Great Britain” and Queen Anne’s title becoming “Queen of Great Britain and Ireland.”

Anne, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland

At the time Ireland was not joined to Great Britain but was in personal union with the sovereign and didn’t politically join Great Britain until the Act of Union of 1801. Therefore in 1801 the country then became known as “The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland” and the sovereigns title reflected that change.

Now my internet debating friend insisted that the name of the kingdom after the Act of Union of 1707 became ” The United Kingdom of Great Britain.”

I assert the term “United” in association with the name of the kingdom only came into effect with the Act of Union of 1801 and not the 1707 Act.

For his proof he cited the UK Parliament website:

“The Acts of Union, passed by the English and Scottish Parliaments in 1707, led to the creation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain on 1 May of that year. The UK Parliament met for the first time in October 1707.”

https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/evolutionofparliament/legislativescrutiny/act-of-union-1707/#:~:text=The%20Acts%20of%20Union%2C%20passed,first%20time%20in%20October%201707.

I had never heard that before! All text books and biographies of various monarchs have all said that the Act of Union of 1707 created the Kingdom of Great Britain and the term United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland didn’t come into being until 1801.

I know this may seem a bit petty so forgive me for that…but is the UK Parliament website (and my debating friend) correct or all my old history books right?

If you have any evidence or thoughts leave me a comment!