List of Latin place names in Britain facts for kids
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.
Contents
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.
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.
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.
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
- List of Roman place names in Britain
- List of Latin place names used as specific names