Geography of Welsh - City Names and what they mean (H-L)

Welcome to the second instalment of the series Geography of Welsh – City names and what they mean. 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

Llanpumsaint – The church of five saints

Llansadwrn – The church of Sadwrn

Llansamlet – Church started by Samled

Llanwrda – Possibly dedicated to St. Cawdraf. Other meanings could be holy man or man of the Taf

Llanywern – Church of the alder trees.

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