Understanding Welsh Place Names: You Know More Than You Think

Since moving to the Llŷn Peninsula last year, we’ve been learning Welsh. We’ve both travelled widely over the years, and picking up local words and phrases has always been part of the adventure. But Welsh felt different - mysterious, musical, and, if you listen to some people, almost impossible to learn.

Many (non-Welsh) people assume the language is impenetrable, something that would take several lifetimes to master. But we soon realised we already knew more Welsh than we thought. And we bet you do, too.

Wales is a land of deep history, dramatic landscapes, and lyrical storytelling - and its place names carry all of that within them. At first glance, they may look daunting, but once you understand how they’re formed, a whole new world opens up.

Welsh words you probably already know

Welsh place names are wonderfully descriptive, often rooted in the natural environment, geography, or local history. A few examples you may recognise:

• Mynydd means mountain, as in Mynydd Mawr (Big Mountain).

• Bryn means hill, appearing in names like Brynmawr (big hill).

• Aber refers to a river mouth or estuary, as in Abersoch (mouth of the Soch).

• Llan typically indicates a church or settlement, often paired with a saint’s name - Llanbedrog means church of Pedrog.

• Cwm means valley, as in Cwm Idwal in Eryri.

Once you start spotting these building blocks, Welsh place names become far more intuitive, describing the landscapes and histories they belong to.

The longest place name: Llanfair… you know the one

Licence Crown Copyright Royalty Free worldwide with attribution in line with Crown Copyright Licencing Agreement

You’ve almost certainly heard of the famously long Welsh place name: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. 

(Yes, we’re still practising it, too.) Despite its length, the name is simply a beautifully detailed description: “The church of St Mary in the hollow of the white hazel near a rapid whirlpool, and the church of St Tysilio by the red cave.” Even the longest names are just poetic descriptions of a place’s unique character.

Discovering the landscape through words

Welsh place names don’t just describe the land—they tell stories. A few favourites:

• Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) means the grave, linked to the legend of the giant Rhita Gawr, said to have been slain by King Arthur.

• Porthmadog combines porth (port) with Madog, referring to William Madocks, who founded the town and built the Cob sea wall in the early 1800s.

Each name is an insight into the landscapes, legends and histories that shaped Wales.

You know more Welsh than you realise

Once you start recognising common Welsh words, you’ll see them everywhere. A trip around the Llŷn Peninsula becomes an exploration of bryns, cwms, and abers, each name helping you interpret the landscape in a new way.

So don’t be intimidated by Welsh place names - embrace them. With a little curiosity, you’ll find yourself speaking more Welsh than you imagined… even if you never quite master Llanfairpwll.

Want to learn more?

If this has sparked your curiosity, these resources are a great place to continue exploring:

Wales.com What's in a name?

Eryri: Names derived from the land and its people

Ready to put your new Welsh place‑name knowledge to the test? Book a stay with us on the Llŷn Peninsula and explore the bryns, cwms, and abers right from your doorstep.