Swansea also known as Abertawe, Abertawe means 'mouth of (the river) Tawe', Aber meaning 'mouth of' and Tawe the name of the river.
But where does the word Swansea come from…mmmm
OK Swansea, its part of someone's name Sveinn, ey is an old Norse name, but the spelling has been influenced by the sea and by the word Swan, making the word Swansea.
Other place names around the west coast of Wales are also influenced by the old Norse name ey, such as Ramsey, Bardsey and Anglesey.
Back in the 9th and 11th centuries Scandinavian forays from Ireland, do
suggest a trading post in Swansea. The earliest recorded coins minted in Swansea date c.1140, were marked with the word Swensi, which suggest trading of some kind was taking place.
As I mentioned earlier old Norse names and personal names influenced the naming of Islands around the coast of Wales. Back in the 19th century an island which may have been a bank or an area of raised ground in marsh at the mouth of the River Tawe, was removed during the construction of the docks, described as Ilond in 1400, Iseland' in 1432 and the Island in 1641. The Island of Sveinn could have been the original location of Swansea.
Ok a little home work for you now, what other place names begin with the word Swan, I can't think of any, but lets see what you can come up with? And if you can! write in the comments box below.
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