British country names explained

Updated: 6/8/2024


Summary

England has been variously called England, Ingland, Angland, Ongland, Yngland, and Ængland over the past millennium and a half. These names, such as Ængleland, Englalond, Anglenelonde, Yngelond, and Ingeland, all stem from the land of the Angles, a Germanic tribe that arrived in Britain in the 5th century AD from the Anglian peninsula in modern-day Germany and Denmark. The Angles, along with the Saxons from northern Germany and the Jutes from the Jutland Peninsula or Friesland, were collectively known as the Anglo-Saxons, the speakers of Old English. England was named after the Angles, likely because they commanded larger and more powerful kingdoms and had a stronger presence in the region compared to the Saxons. The Irish Gaelic and Scots Gaelic names for England, however, mean "Land of the Saxons," while the Welsh name, Lloegr, was the medieval Welsh name for a large part of what is now England. The Old English word for the Welsh, "weahl," meant "slave" or "foreigner," leading to the name "Wales" being associated with enslavement, though the word's relatives in other Germanic languages referred more specifically to speakers of Romance languages like French and Italian. The word "Britain" comes from the Roman name "Britannia," which in turn comes from the Ancient Greek name "Pretannike," believed to have been taken from the Celts who called themselves something like "Pretani," meaning "painted" or "tattooed" people. The "Great" in "Great Britain" likely refers to the island's size compared to Brittany in northern France. Other names for Britain include "Albion," possibly derived from the Latin word for "white" or a local Celtic word meaning "world." The video also delves into the origins of names for other British Isles, such as the Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands, Hebrides, Isle of Man, Anglesey, Isles of Scilly, Channel Islands, and the Isle of Wight, tracing their linguistic roots to Scandinavian, Celtic, and Roman influences.

Origins of the Name 'England'

The name 'England' derives from the Germanic tribe known as the Angles, who settled in the region during the 5th century AD. The various spellings of 'England' throughout history, such as 'Ængleland', 'Englalond', and 'Yngelond', all refer to the 'land of the Angles'.

The Anglo-Saxons and Other Germanic Tribes

The Angles were not the only Germanic tribe to settle in Britain during this period. They were accompanied by the Saxons, from modern-day northern Germany, and the Jutes, believed to have originated from the Jutland Peninsula or Friesland. These groups collectively became known as the Anglo-Saxons.

The Name 'Wales' and Its Origins

The Old English word 'wealh' was used to refer to the Celtic Britons, and it meant both 'foreigner' and 'slave'. This term eventually evolved into the modern name 'Wales', which was the area where the Celtic Britons were forced to retreat by the Anglo-Saxons.

The Origins of 'Scotland' and 'Ireland'

The term 'Scotland' was initially used by the Anglo-Saxons to refer to Ireland, as the Irish Gaelic-speaking people were known as the 'Scots' at the time. The modern-day Scotland was initially called 'Alba', derived from the Celtic name for the region.

The Name 'Britain' and Its Roots

The name 'Britain' comes from the Roman name 'Britannia', which in turn is derived from the Ancient Greek name 'Pretannike', believed to have originated from the Celtic inhabitants who called themselves the 'Pretani', meaning 'painted or tattooed people'.

Other Names and Origins

The video also explores the origins of names for various islands and regions within the British Isles, such as the Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands, Hebrides, Isle of Man, Anglesey, Isles of Scilly, Channel Islands, and the Isle of Wight.


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FAQ

Q: Why is England called England?

England is called England because it means the land of the Angles, a Germanic tribe that settled in the region in the 5th century AD.

Q: What is the origin of the word 'Welsh'?

The word 'Welsh' comes from an Old English word 'wealh' which meant 'foreigner' or 'slave', referring to the native Celtic Britons who were subjugated by the Anglo-Saxons.

Q: Where did the name 'Scotland' originally refer to?

In Old English, the word 'Scotland' was used to refer to Ireland, not the modern-day country of Scotland.

Q: What is the meaning of the name 'Britain'?

The name 'Britain' comes from the Roman name 'Britannia', which is believed to have originated from a Celtic word meaning 'painted people' or 'tattooed people'.

Q: What is the origin of the name 'Isle of Man'?

The Isle of Man is named after the Celtic sea god Manannán mac Lir, who is said to have ruled the island.