A “Literal” Map of the United Kingdom

February 22, 2018 Alex

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Ever wondered why Yorkshire is called Yorkshire, or what Aberdeen actually means? The names of Britain’s counties tell captivating stories of ancient peoples, forgotten kingdoms, and landscape features that have shaped human settlement for thousands of years.

The map below created by QuickQuid shows a literal map of the United Kingdom.

The Anglo-Saxon Legacy

The term ‘shire’ appears frequently across England’s counties, revealing their Anglo-Saxon origins. According to the British Library’s historical manuscripts, these administrative divisions were established around the 8th century. Yorkshire, for instance, literally means “territory of the people of York,” while Lancashire refers to the “territory of Lancaster.”

Celtic Roots

Wales and Cornwall preserve some of Britain’s oldest place names. The University of Wales’s Celtic Studies department notes that many Welsh county names describe geographical features. Ceredigion, for example, commemorates Ceredig, an ancient Welsh prince, while Gwynedd refers to the old Kingdom of Gwynedd.

Viking Influences

The Vikings left their mark on British geography, particularly in the north and east. According to the Jorvik Viking Centre in York, many place names ending in ‘-by’, ‘-thorpe’, or ‘-toft’ have Norse origins. The Shetland Islands’ name comes from the Old Norse “Hjaltland” (Hilt Land), possibly referring to the islands’ sword-like shape.

Scottish Geography

Scottish county names often reflect the landscape. The University of Glasgow’s Scottish Place-Name Survey reveals that Aberdeen comes from the Gaelic “Obar Dheathain,” meaning “mouth of two rivers”. Inverness translates to “mouth of the River Ness,” while Sutherland, ironically, means “Southern Land” – though it’s in the far north of Scotland.

Irish Connections

Northern Ireland’s county names reflect its Gaelic heritage. The Ulster Historical Foundation documents that Tyrone comes from “Tír Eoghain,” meaning “land of Eoghan,” while Derry derives from “Daire,” meaning “oak grove”.

Roman Roads and Rivers

Many English counties take their names from important geographical features. The English Place-Names Society notes that Herefordshire’s name refers to an army ford, marking where Roman legions crossed the River Wye.

Modern Meanings

Some county names have evolved significantly. Merseyside, created in 1974, takes its name from the River Mersey, which itself comes from the Anglo-Saxon “Maeres ea,” meaning “boundary river.” The Institute of Historical Research provides fascinating insights into how county boundaries and names have changed over time.

Understanding these place names gives us a remarkable window into Britain’s past, revealing layers of settlement, conquest, and cultural change that have shaped the modern United Kingdom.