Durham etymology

Etymology and Meaning:

The name "Durham" derives from the following Old English elements:

  • Dun: Meaning "hill" or "rise"
  • Holm: Meaning "island" or "meadow surrounded by water"

Therefore, the name "Durham" literally means "hill surrounded by water."

Origin:

The name "Durham" was first used to describe a narrow peninsula surrounded by the River Wear and River Browney in northeastern England. It is believed that the name was given by the Anglo-Saxons who settled in the area in the 5th century AD.

The site of Durham became important in the 7th century when the Bishop of Lindisfarne, Cuthbert, moved his seat there. The establishment of a monastery and later a cathedral led to the growth of a town named Durham around the defensive hilltop.

Over time, the name "Durham" came to refer to both the city and the surrounding county, known as County Durham. Today, the name is still used to designate the city, county, and University of Durham.

Durham relate terms

  • down

    Etymology The word down has origins in several Germanic languages Old English dun

  • dune

    Etymology The word dune is derived from Old English dūn pre Saxon Proto Germani

  • holm

    Etymology The word holm has Old English origins and is derived from the following Ol

  • Shrewsbury

    Etymology The name Shrewsbury is derived from the Old English words Scrobbesclif or Sc

  • county

    Etymology The word county is derived from the Old French word cunté which in turn i

  • eccentric

    Etymology Eccentric originates from the Latin word eccentricus which means out of th

  • gallery

    Etymology Latin galeria covered walkway Greek γαλέρωμα galērōma hoo

  • pontifex

    Etymology The word pontifex is derived from the Latin phrases pons bridge facer

  • Hobbit

    Etymology The word hobbit is derived from two Old English words hol hollow bytl

  • modesty

    Etymology of Modesty The word modesty originates from the Latin word modestia whic

  • procrastination

    Etymology Latin procrastinare meaning to defer Derived from pro forward and

  • nervous

    Etymology The word nervous comes from the Latin word nervus meaning sinew or ner