Geography of Wales - 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.

Many things contribute to what makes a country unique. The culture, the landscape, the people, the history and language all come together to form the heart and soul of a country. Wales is not different.

One thing that sets Wales apart from her British 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 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.