Welcome to the second instalment of the series Geography of Welsh – City names and what they mean.
Many things contribute to what makes a country unique. The culture, the landscape, the people, the history and language all come together to form the heart and soul of a country. Wales is not different.
One thing that sets Wales apart from her British neighbors is her language. And this is highlighted on a map of her cities, towns and villages. The Welsh language has given many of the cities and villages of the country one-of-a-kind names with many unusual meanings.
In this series of articles, we will explore some of the varied and special village and city names of South and Southwest Wales. It would take years to cover all the names even, in just the small area of Wales I am covering, so I have picked out some of my personal favorites and I hope you enjoy them.
Here you will find the name of the village or city, as it is known today, and the origin or meaning of the name. The meaning of the name in Old Welsh is also noted as applicable. In this article we will be looking at cities and villages beginning with the letters H-L.
Haverfordwest – Thought to derive from the Welsh Hwylffordd; hwyl (sail) and fordd (way). This was the way that ships when up the creek to what is now know as Pembroke Dock.
Henllan – Welsh for ancient church
Henllys – ancient court or hall
Kidwelly – Suggested name from the old Welsh is Cadweli, a tribal form of the personal name Cadwel
Lampeter – Lampeter is the Anglican version of the Welsh name Llanbedr Pont Steffan, meaning St. Peter’s church of Stephen’s bridge
Laugherne – this is thought to be derived from Tal-llacharn, the end of the river Llacharn
Letterson – Letterd’s home. Welsh word was Trelettert
Llanarthney – the church of Arthen, son of Brychan
Llanboidy – Derived from Lan-bod-Dewi, the church where St. David lived
Llandeilo – The church of St. Teilo
Llandybie – The church of St Tybie. Legend says that Tybie, a daughter of Bychan was murdered where this church stands, which dedicated to her memory
Llandysul – The church of St. Tysul
Llanelli – The church of St. Ellyw. The city was properly known as Llanelliw. It has also been spelled Llanelly, as it was commonly called in the 19th century
Llanfaelog – The church dedicated to Maelog
Llangadog – The church of St. Cadoc
Llangain – The church of St. Cain
Llanllwch – The church of the lake or swamp
Llanon – The church dedicated to Nonn, the mother of St. David
