The literal meanings behind Britain's place names, mapped

What's in a name?

A lot – according to research by QuickQuid , anyway.

The UK is known for having a rich and diverse history attracting Roman, Celtic and Anglo-Saxon settlers.

And with them, the settles brought unique meanings to Britain’s beloved counties, cities and towns.

Many of the counties are known as shires, which originated in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of the early Middle Ages. The literal meanings often came from early settlers in the area. For example, England has a rich Roman, Celtic and Anglo-Saxon history, which can be mapped out through its place names.

Here are four maps that translate the names of cities literally – be their origin Roman or Celtic:

England

QuickQuid

Highlights :

Greater Manchester: Town on the Breast-like hill

Hertfordshire: Ford frequented by stags

Cheshire: Roman county

Leicestershire: Roman town of the people called Ligore

Northumberland: Land North of the River Humber

City of London: City on the wide flowing river

Isle of Wight: Place of the Division

Cornwall: People of the Horn

Northern Ireland

QuickQuid

Highlights:

Down: The fort

Fermanagh: Place of the Manaigh tribe

Tyrone

Land of Eoghan

Derry: Oak Grove

Atrim: One Habitation

Wales

QuickQuid

Highlights:

Flintshire: Hard rock county

Pembrokeshire: Land’s end county

Newport: Town of the Sands

Torfaen: Rock breaker

Vale of Glamorgan: Morgan’s territory

Scotland

QuickQuid

Highlights:

Kincardine: Head of the corpse

Caithness: Promontory of the cats

Stirling: Place of strife

Peebles : Place with tents

Bute: Island of Fire

Dunbarton: Fort of the Britons

More: This map shows the literal translations of major city names around the world

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