400BC - Iron Age Celts from the Continent gave Wight its name, meaning place of the division, because it is between the two arms of the Solent. It is one of the Islands few surviving Celtic names. Many topographical features were also given names in this period, like the Needles.

Did the Isle of Wight join England?

Wight was then added to Wessex and became part of England under King Alfred the Great, included within the shire of Hampshire.

When did the Isle of Wight separate from the mainland?

some 7,000 years ago The Isle of Wight became separated from the mainland some 7,000 years ago following the melting of the ice sheets created during the Ice Age, which had led to the rise in sea levels.