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Geography of Welsh - City Names and what they mean (M-P)

© Sandra Jones

Welcome to the third 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 M-P.

Maenclochog – a bell like stone

Margam – thought to be a derivative of the name Morgan

Milford Haven – mouth of the two swords. The meeting of the streams called Cleddau Fawr and Cleddau Fach (greater and lesser swords). The Welsh name is Aber-dau-gleddau

Morrsiton – the town was named for Sir John Morris, who built a copper works there

Nantcwmlle – stream possibly named for Cunllo, a 5th century saint

Nantgaredig – a kindly stream, more popularly thought to mean Caredig’s brook

Narberth – a place among the bushes and hedges

Neath – named for the river Nedd

Newcastle Emlyn – a new castle in the territory of Emlyn. The Welsh name was Castell-newydd-Emlyn

Nyeland – this name comes from the Norman word for island

Oxwich – water creek. Derived from the Welsh word wysg for water and the Norse word wic, meaning creek

Oystermouth – literally take from the Welsh word Ystumllwynarth, Oystermouth would translate to a few different meanings! My best guess is: in a bend of the river there sits a bear’s grove on a hill. This is open for debate, of course

Pencader – head fortress

Penclawdd – head embankment

Pendine – head of sand dunes

Penmaenmawr – great rock head

Pontardawe – bridge over the river Tawe, water silent and still

Pontardulais – bridge over the river Dulais, black water

Pontargothi – bridge over the river Cothi

Pontneddfechan – bridge of the lesser river Nedd

Pontyates – bridge of the gates

Pontyberem – bridge over the river Berem

Port Talbot – This town was originally called Aberafon Harbor, but was changed in 1836 by an act of Parliament, and was renamed in honor of the Talbot family

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