Canterbury etymology

Etymology of Canterbury

The name "Canterbury" is derived from the Old English words "Cantwaraburh" or "Cantwara burh".

Meaning and Origin

  • Cantwara: The first part of the name, "Cantwara," refers to the Cantiaci, an ancient Celtic tribe that inhabited the area in pre-Roman times. The name "Cantiaci" is thought to be a latinized form of the Celtic word "cantio," meaning "circle" or "round hill".

  • Burh: The second part of the name, "burh," is an Old English word meaning "fortified place" or "town". It refers to the fact that Canterbury was an important fortified settlement for the Cantiaci and later for the Anglo-Saxons.

Overall Meaning:

The name "Canterbury" can therefore be interpreted as "the fortified town of the Cantiaci". It reflects the historical significance of Canterbury as a settlement and stronghold for the ancient Celtic tribe that inhabited the area before the Roman and Anglo-Saxon invasions.

Canterbury relate terms

  • Kent

    Etymology Old English Cant Middle English Kent Old English Cant is derived from the

  • canter

    Etymology From Middle English cantere from Old French chanteur from Latin cantor

  • Canterbury

    Etymology of Canterbury The name Canterbury is derived from the Old English words Cant

  • Lambeth

    Etymology The name Lambeth is thought to be of Anglo Saxon origin and is believed to der

  • tabard

    Etymology Middle English taberde Old French taberde Late Latin tabardum Medieval Lat

  • inexpressible

    Etymology Late Middle English from Old French inexpressible from Latin inexpressibili

  • laureate

    Etymology Derived from the Latin word laureatus meaning crowned with laurel Laur

  • finance

    Etymology of Finance The word finance originates from the Old French word finer m

  • source

    Etymology The word source derives from the Old French word source which in turn come

  • diaspora

    Etymology The word diaspora originates from the Greek word διασπορά diaspora

  • intuition

    Etymology and Meaning Intuition comes from the Latin word intueri meaning to look i