British Place-Name Etymologies
1. Latin (Roman Influence)
Suffix: -chester, -caster, -cester Meaning: Derived from the Latin castra (camp or fortification).
Colchester:
Manchester:
Lancaster:
Gloucester:
Chester:
2. Old English (Anglo-Saxon Influence)
A. Suffix: -ham
Meaning: Village, estate, or settlement (related to the modern word "home").
Birmingham
Nottingham
Cheltenham
B. Suffix: -ton
Meaning: Farm, enclosure, or estate (later evolved into "town").
Brighton:
Luton:
Southampton:
Northampton: .
C. Suffix: -bury, -borough, -burgh
Meaning: A fortified place or stronghold (from burh).
Canterbury:
Salisbury:
Edinburgh:
D. Suffix: -ford
Meaning: A shallow place to cross a river.
Oxford:
Stratford:
Guildford:
3. Old Norse (Viking Influence)
A. Suffix: -by
Meaning: Farmstead or village.
Whitby:
Derby:
Grimsby:
B. Suffix: -thorpe
Meaning: A secondary settlement or an outlying farm.
Scunthorpe:
Cleethorpes:
4. Summary Table
Origin | Suffix | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
Latin | -chester | Winchester | Fortified camp |
Old English | -ham | Fulham | Settlement |
Old English | -ton | Kingston | Enclosure/Farm |
Old English | -ford | Bedford | River crossing |
Old Norse | -by | Kirkby | Village |
Old Norse | -thorpe | Mablethorpe | Outlying farm |



