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List of Latin place names in Britain facts for kids

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This article lists places in Great Britain and nearby islands, like the Isle of Man. Some of these places were part of the Roman Empire. Others were given Latin names later in historical books and maps.

Why Latin Names Matter

For a long time, Latin was like the main language for smart people. It was used for scholarship and making maps all over Europe. This was true until more recent times.

Knowing these old names is super helpful for historians. It helps them understand old records and learn about the past. Imagine trying to find information about a town from hundreds of years ago! Its name might have been different back then. Latin names help connect the dots.

However, it's tricky because many places had similar Latin names. So, historians need to be careful. They use other clues to make sure they are talking about the right place.

Cities and Towns in England

Many cities and towns in England had Latin names, especially those that were important during the Roman times. Some of these names are still used today, or they sound similar to the modern English names.

Roman britain 400
Roman Britain in 400 AD
Latin name English name
Aquae Arnemetiae Buxton
Aquae Sulis Bath
Bremetennacum Ribchester
Camulodunum Colchester
Cantabrigia (medieval Latinisation) Cambridge
Cataractonium Catterick
Coria, Corspitium Corbridge
Corinium Cirencester
Deva Chester
Dunelmum Durham
Durnovaria Dorchester
Durocobrivis Dunstable
Durovernum Cantiacorum, Cantuaria Canterbury
Eboracum York
Glevum Gloucester
Isca Dumnoniorum Exeter
Isurium Brigantum Aldborough
Lindinis Ilchester
Lindum Colonia Lincoln
Londinium London
Londonia London
Luguvalium Carlisle
Mamucium, Mancunium Manchester
Noviomagus Reginorum Chichester
Oxonium, Oxonia Oxford
Petuaria Brough
Pons Aelius Newcastle upon Tyne
Ratae Corieltauvorum Leicester
Venta Belgarum Winchester
Verulamium St Albans
Vigornia Worcester
Viroconium Cornoviorum Wroxeter

Cities and Towns in Scotland

Scotland also has many places with Latin names. Some of these names show how important these places were in the past.

Canonical Latin name Other Latin names English name
Andreanae Kirkruel?, Reguli Fanum, Andreopolis; GOL: Sanctae Andreae Coenobium, Kirkrule, Kilrule St Andrews
Devana Aberdonia, Aberdona, Verniconam; GOL: Aberdonum, Aberdonium, Abredonia), Devanha Aberdeen
Dunedinum Edinburgum, Edinum; GOL: Edimburgum, Edenburgum, Alata castra, Alatius burgus, Aneda, Puellarum castra) Edinburgh
Glascouium Glascovia, Glascum, Glascua, Glasgua Glasgow
Trimontium Newstead

Cities and Towns in Wales

Wales, known as Cambria in Latin, also has a rich history of Latin place names. These names often tell us about Roman forts or important settlements.

Canonical Latin name Other Latin names English name
Alabum Llandovery
Bangertium Bangor
Blestium Monemuta Monmouth
Bovium Cowbridge (disputed)
Burrium Usk
Cambria Wales
Canovium Caerhun
Castra Diva Chester
Cicutio Pumsaint
Gobannium Abergavenny
Isca Silurum Isca, Iscae Isca Augusta, Isca Legio, Castra Legionis Caerleon
Moridunum Carmarthen
Mediomanum Caersws
Nidum Neath
Segontium Segontio, Seguntio, Seguntium Caernarfon
Venta Silurum Caerwent

Island Names

Even islands around Great Britain had Latin names. These names were used on old maps and in historical writings.

Island names
Latin name English name
Botis Bute
Caesarea Jersey
Clota (Insula) Arran
Ebudae Hebrides
Malaeus Mull
Mona Anglesey
Monapia, Monaoeda Isle of Man
Orcades Orkney
Scetis Skye
Taniatide Thanet
Vectis Isle of Wight

Region or Country Names

Not just cities, but whole regions and countries also had Latin names. These names helped people in the past talk about different parts of Great Britain.

Region or country names
Latin name English name
Albion Great Britain
Anglia England
Britannia Great Britain
Caledonia Scotland
Cambria Wales
Cornubia Cornwall
Hibernia Ireland
Orientalium Anglorum East Anglia
Scotia Scotland, and formerly applied to Ireland
Salopia Shropshire

See also

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List of Latin place names in Britain Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.