Geography of Wales - City Names and What They Mean (A-G)

Many things contribute to what makes a country unique and that is very evident in the UK, with its mixture of English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh. The culture, the landscape, the people, the history and language all come together to form the heart and soul of a country. Wales is no different.

One thing that sets Wales apart from her neighbors is her language. And this is highlighted on a map of her cities, towns and villages. The Welsh language has given many of the cities and villages of the country one-of-a-kind names with many unusual meanings.

In this series of articles, we will explore some of the varied and special village and city names of South and Southwest Wales. It would take years to cover all the names even, in just the small area of Wales I am covering, so I have picked out some of my personal 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 article we will cover towns and villages from A-G.

Aberafan - The mouth of the River Afan. Afan is the old term for raspberries

Abercraf - Where the rivers Craf and Tawe come together. Craf is garlic in the old Welsh

Aberdare - No meaning in current terms, but in Old Welsh Dar translated as oak tree

Abergwili - A village at the mouth of the Gwili river. Gwili is Welsh for wild flow of water

Ammanford - Ford of the Amman river. The Welsh word is Rhydaman, same meaning, dedicated to the Goddess Amanwy

Baglan - This is an abbreviation of Llanfaglan, or the church of St. Bagaln, a Welsh saint from the 6th century

Briton Ferry - Contrary to what the name may imply, Briton Ferry has nothing to do with ferries or the sea. It is said that the name comes a tower that was built by Morgan ab Caradog ab Iestyn to prevent the Normans from crossing a river

Brynaman - Hill of the river Aman

Carmarthen - This is a city name that is rich in heritage and legend. The current name is derived from Caerfyrddin, which translates as the town of Myrddin (Merlin). The Romans called it Maridunum. Merlin the Wizard was born here and lived in a cave near the town. Legend has it that a very old oak tree in the town that is known as Merlin's Oak is a guard for the town. It is said that as long as the tree remains intact, the Carmarthen will never be conquered.

Carreg Cennen - Rock of the river Cennen and home of daunting castle remains

Castle Martin - Area of Dyfed that was one of the earliest Norman settlements in Wales. The town name denotes that castle that was built and occupied by the family of Martin de Tours. Old Welsh name was Bwlch-y-clawdd, meaning the pass of the hillside

Clydach - Stream with rocky bed or sheltered stream

Cross Hands - Thought to be named after a public house

Croesyceiliog - Croes translates as cross or crossroads, and Ceiliog is thought to mean cock or weathercock

Dyffryn - the course of a river

Felindre - Homestead and mill

Ferryside - This name indeed has to do with ferries, as this is where passenger were ferried over the river to Llanstephan

Ffairfach - fair and small

Glyn Nedd - The valley of the Nedd. Old Welsh is thought to have given the meaning meandering

Gowerton - Village got its name on Jan 1, 1866 after ratepayers of the parish decided that they didn't like the name Gower Road for their hamlet. Gower in old Welsh means warped or crooked, and stems most likely in reference to the way the Gower peninsula juts out from the coastline.