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The island's name is Anglo Saxon in origin, and means "Cana's island". It was first recorded in manorial records of 1255 as Caneveye. The island is not mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, but sheep grazing marshland lying to the south of the county is mentioned extensively. Geologically, Canvey Island was originally part of the mainland, then the coastline broke up into smaller pieces, and the modern island is made up of five of those pieces. There are historical maps held at the Essex Record Office that show where the five separate islands originally lay and it is thought that these are the marshes referred to in earlier records. Sheep farming was a mainstay industry of the island until very recently.

Because of the geological history of the island subsidence was a common problem and sea defences have been built to protect the island from the Thames since the 14th century. In the early 17th century16th century 17th century 18th century more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601- 1700. During this period, the power of England and the United Provinces increased; while that of DutchThis article is about the region in the Netherlands. For other uses, see Holland (disambiguation). Holland is the name of a region in the central-western part of the Netherlands. Holland is a former county of the Holy Roman Empire and later the leading me builders were employed to reclaim land from the Thames and to strengthen the sea defences. Because of this a strong Dutch community formed in Canvey Island, evidence of which can still be found in local street names, place names and architecture.

In 1791Events January 25 The British Parliament passes the Constitutional Act of 1791, splitting the old province of Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada March 3 The United States Congress passes a resolution calling for the establishment of the United States Mint, 1881Events January 16- 24 ? Siege of Geok Tepe ? Russian troops under general Skobeleff defeat Turkomans January 25 Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell form the Oriental Telephone Company February 5 Phoenix, Arizona is incorporated. February 13 First issu and 1897Events January 1 Brooklyn, New York merges with New York City. January 4 A British force is ambushed by Chief Ologbosheri, son-in-law of the Oba of Benin. This leads to a Punitive Expedition against Benin. February 2 The Pennsylvania state capitol is dest the whole island was almost completely submerged due to extensive floodA flood (in Old English flod a word common to Teutonic languages; compare German Flut Dutch vloed from the same root as is seen in flow, float is an overflow of water, an expanse of water submerging land, a deluge. In the sense of "flowing water", the woring of the River Thames. More modern sea defences have now been installed, and are maintained regularly. However, in 19531953 is a common year starting on Thursday (click on link for the calendar). Events January events January 7 President Harry S. Truman announces the United States has developed a hydrogen bomb. January 13 Marshal Josip Broz Tito chosen President of Yugosl serious floods along the east coast hit the island and caused the death of 58 people.

During the Second World War the island was one end of the GHQ Line, a line of concrete pillboxes constructed as a defence against the expected German invasion. Some of the old pillboxes are still in place today.

More recently (in the 1970s), Canvey Island was a centre of the pub rock musical movement, featuring entertainers such as Dr. Feelgood and Ian Dury.

Other settlements on the island apart from the main town include Newlands and Leigh Beck . Other local islands include Lower Horse and Two Tree Island .