The United Kingdom has a long and interesting history. A part of it can easily be seen through the names of its cities, which is an often overlooked fact. Depending on the region of the UK, the city naming differs a lot. Throughout its history, the UK was influenced by different cultures. Because of that many of its cities have Celts names. Celtic tribes play a major role in the history and culture of the islands.
Yet, they’re not the only ones that have given the British cities their names. Some of them can track back their origins to the age of Roman conquest. Others go even further back to the age when the Vikings reached the shores of the land that’s today known as the United Kingdom. Lastly, the effect that the Anglo-Saxons had is not to be underestimated. We’re talking about rather different cultures, all of which left deep roots in what’s today Scotland, Ireland, England, and Wales.
Due to their historic and cultural origins, the majority of cities in the United Kingdom have a hidden meaning to their name. Of course, for locals, these meanings are quite well known but if you’re not from the Commonwealth, this might be your first time hearing about them. We’re glad we’re the ones opening your mind to the new knowledge. So, let us get started.
Glasgow, Scotland
One of the biggest cities in Scotland carries a beautiful hidden name. It is referred to as the Green Hollow. It is a Gaelic name, and we’re talking about a direct translation. It is a fitting name, as this is one of the most beautiful cities to visit during the springtime, as it’s the entirety of Scotland due to its one of a kind nature.
Durham
While not one of the most famous cities in the UK, this city in England is as literal as one can get. Durham is what’s known as the city on the hill. What makes its name so peculiar is the fact that it draws its name from both the Old English and the Old Norse, making its origins rather interesting to both visitors and locals.
Leeds
Leeds has a rather short name with quite a long meaning. It is an English city that has its name given by, and for the people living there. It refers to those who are living by the river that flows strong. It is a name that’s stood firmly for ages, as it draws its meaning from Celtic and Old English. These days the city is best known for its role in the industrial history of England, and one of the most popular football clubs in Yorkshire, Leeds United. The newly promoted side is not one of the premier league betting favorites to win the PL, but they should flow strongly enough as the River Aire on which the city is built, to avoid relegation.
Manchester
Manchester is one of the best known English cities in the world. What most people do not know is that its name dates back to the age of Roman conquest, and that it is a rather funny one at that. What Manchester signified for the ancient Romans is a town located on a breast like hill. Its Latin name was Mamucium, which is most likely a Romanized version of its old Britannic name. The city stood to the test of time, and after the Industrial Revolution, it became one of the central cities in the UK.
Liverpool
A city as old as the Old English, from which its name can be tracked. It is one of the cities with the most literal names in the United Kingdom. It means a ‘moody pool’, or a creek. The funny part is that this name, as close to the original as it could get, has stood around since 1190. Today, it is one of the biggest ports in the UK, and the home of one of the most famous football clubs in the world, Liverpool FC. The team is currently in its golden era and is one of the favourites to win the 2025/26 Premier League according to Sportsbet.io. Also, the city was a birthplace to rock music as we know it today thanks to Liverpool’s own, the Beatles.
Birmingham
A historic city in northern England, Birmingham was and remains one of the biggest industrial cities in the UK. The name was given to it long ago by the people of Beorma, which was a tribal name back in the day. It is an Old English name which means the homestead of Beorma’s people. Nowadays it is often referred to as Beermingham. This is a running gag, referring to the city’s rich history in beer brewing. It is yet another English city with a rich sports history being a home to three football clubs in WBA, Aston Villa, and Birmingham City, with the latter being partially owned by the American former QB, Tom Brady.
Nottingham
If there’s a city with a vibrant history in the UK, it has to be Nottingham. The city draws its name from the Anglo-Saxon tribe called Snotingas. The name is rather straightforward, as it was received from the people inhabiting it at first, the homestead of the Snotingas. It is believed that the name Snot belongs to the tribal chief of the people of Snot. As time moved on, the name adopted slight changes which eventually led to its current name, Nottingham. The city is known for its universities, sports culture led by Nottingham Forest, and of course, for being the playground for none other than Robin Hood.
Cardiff
The heart of Wales, Cardiff is its biggest city, and capital. It was known throughout history as the fort on the dark river. Its ancient Welsh name is Caerdyf, which is a combination of words caer which means fort and Taff which stands for rover. So, the fort on the Taff is what we know today as Cardiff. Dating back to medieval times, this Welsh city is one of the best known places in the UK, famed for its castles and sporting venues.
Oxford
Nowadays, the educational capital of the world, Oxford was once known as the shallow river for cattle. Oxford is a rather literal translation from Old English, but the name stood the test of time, and it is one of the most recognizable city names in the world. Ford for oxen, or Oxanforda is an Old English word for a place where cattle could cross a river. For locals back in the day, it was an ideal place to form a settlement. Today, it is best known as a place that connects the south of England to the Midlands, and as the home to the oldest English speaking university in the world and stunning architecture.
As we said, the United Kingdom has a long and rich history, which can be observed through its city names. Most are drawing inspiration from the people that inhabited the island through its history dating back to the age of Celts, Romans, the Vikings, and Anglo-Saxons, with a touch of Gaelic and old Welsh. Truly a mosaic of cultures.
Chase Ortiz is part of the team at PaigeSimple, where he takes care of all the advertising requests. With a sharp eye for detail, Chase makes sure every advertising opportunity is handled smoothly, helping the site grow and reach more people. His ability to manage these tasks efficiently makes him an important part of the team.