Welcome to the latest installment of the Welsh Geography series – Town names and what they mean. They contribute a lot to a single country. Culture, landscape, people, history and language all come together to form the heart and soul of a country. Wales is no different.
The one thing that sets Wales apart from its British neighbors is its language. And he illustrated this in his map of cities, towns, and villages. The Welsh language has given many cities and rural towns one-of-a-kind names with many unusual ones meanings.
In this series of articles we will explore some of the various and special village and town names of South and West Wales. It would take years to even cover all the names, just cover the sextile area of Wales; So I’ve picked out some of my 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 chapter we will look at cities and towns starting with the letters R-Z.
Reynoldston – The most famous Flemish colonist who occupied the first place in King Henry‘s reign
Rhandirmwyn – means desirable land
Rhossili – a marshy land near the sea
Ruabon – to Mount Mabon
St. Clears – an ancient Norman seat, dedicated to St. Clare
St. David‘s – House of David. David, patron of Wales
Skokholm – An island off the coast of Wales, the name comes from Nordmannia, that is wild land.
Solva – the true meaning is unknown, but the name is thought to mean muddy water
Swansea – The Welsh name was originally Cae Wyr, the castle of Gower. The Welsh name for the current is Abertawe, which means the mouth of the river Tawe. The English version of the name is said to commemorate Sueno, a Danish sailor whose fleet was destroyed in Swansea Bay in the 7th century.
Tenby – A small fortress
Tonypandy – black hollow marshes
Tonyrefail – skin on the surface of the water
Trimsaran – the ridge of the road
Tumble – named for the Tumble Inn
Velindre – the place of the mill
Whitland – the The Old White House in Taf
Ystalyfera – perhaps means an island above the river
Ystradfellte – rapid river valley
Ystradgynlais – The valley of the river Cynlais
