Germanic toponymy


are the names given to places by Germanic peoples and tribes. Besides areas with current speakers of Germanic languages, many regions with previous Germanic speakers or Germanic influence had or still have Germanic toponymic elements, such as places in Northern France, Wallonia, Poland and Northern Italy.

Comparative table

In round brackets, the contemporary cognate for the toponym in the respective language is given. In the square brackets, the most frequently used name in English is given.
Proto-Germanic
English
and Scots
Dutch
and Afrikaans
Low German GermanContinental
North Germanic
Other Germanic languagesLoans or remnants in
non-Germanic languages
*baki
"creek"
-bach, -beck, -batch, -brook, -brooke, -bech, -beach, -broke,
Harbrook, Emm Brook, Sparkbrook, Walbrook, Marshbrook, Fullabrook, Sandbach, Comberbach, Brinsabach, Eastbach, etc., Fulbeck, Caldbeck, Holbeck, Wansbeck, Starbeck, Welbeck, Skirpenbeck, Boosbeck, Killingbeck, Pinchbeck, Purbeck, Birkbeck, Swaffham Bulbeck, Leigh Beck, Waterbeck, etc., Pulverbatch, Inglesbatch, Oxbatch, Snailbatch, Wagbatch, Radbatch, Wisbech, Holbeach, Holbeck, Holbrook, Addenbrooke, Kidbrooke, Holbech, Bolingbroke, Stradbroke, Begbroke, Kembroke Hall, Hazelbadge, Burbage, Brocton, Brockweir, Brogden, Brookhampton, Brookland, Brooksby etc.
-beek
:nl:Roosbeek , Bierbeek, Lembeek, Schaarbeek , Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, etc.
-bek, -beck, -brook, -brock,
:de:Harbrook, :de:Billbrook, Hilkenbrook, Wesuwer Brook, :de:Marschbrook, :de:Hammerbrook, Fuhlbek, Reinbek, Wandsbek, Hasselbeck, Gladbeck, Havixbeck, Fuhlenbrock, Batenbrock, etc.
-bach, -bock
:de:Sandbach, Wambach, Rohrbach, Kaltenbach, Hasselbach, Bütgenbach, :de: Schnellbach, Mühlbock , etc.
-beck, -bekk, -bäck, -bæk
Fulebæk, Holbæk

Foulbec, Caudebec, Houlbec, etc., Robecq / Rebecq/ Rebais, etc., Wambez, Roubaix, Bolbec, Bricquebec, etc.
  • -bok in Polish, via East-Germanic
Drybok, Klodobok, Lusobok, Ołobok
*berga-
"hill, mountain"
-bergh -berrow -barrow -berry -berge -bear
Sedbergh, Thrybergh, Caldbergh, Bedbergh, Babergh Hundred, Rubergh Hundred, East Bergholt, Bergh Apton, Berghersh, Inkberrow, Bromsberrow, Sedgeberrow, Whitbarrow, Cruckbarrow, Fellbarrow, Wanbarrow, Brockenbarrow, Inkberrow, Rowberrow, Ingleberry, Skelberry, Solberge, Sadberge, Thurlbear
-berg, -bergen
Bergen , Geraardsbergen, Grimbergen, Kortenberg
Barg, Bargen-berg
Heidelberg, Kaisersberg , Königsberg , Nürnberg , Bamberg, Bromsberg, Bromberg, Kruckenberg, :de:Fellberg, Berghain
-berg, -berj
Bergen
-bergue in Northern French via Old Low Frankish or Old Saxon
Isbergues, Berck, Barques, Barc, Bierges
*brugjō-
"bridge"
-bridge -brigg
Cambridge, Knightsbridge, Woodbridge, Fordingbridge, Seabridge Agbrigg, Felbrigg, Lambrigg, Gillingbrigg, Brigg, Brigroyd
-brugge
Brugge , Zeebrugge
-brücken, -brück, -bruck -brig
Innsbruck, Osnabrück, Saarbrücken, Brig
-bro, -bru
*burg-
"city, fortified town, fort"
-borough, -bury, -burgh, -brough
Canterbury, Tilbury, Aldbury, Grimsbury, Limbury, Cissbury, Kentisbury, Holmbury St Mary, Shoeburyness, Irthlingborough, Peterborough, Knaresborough, Middlesbrough, Hemingbrough, Mickleburgh, Aldeburgh, Rumburgh, Happisburgh, Bamburgh, Edinburgh, Salsburgh, Pedlersburgh, Cunningsburgh, Mayburgh Henge
-burg
Aardenburg, Limburg, Middelburg, Tilburg
-borg
Hamborg
-burg
Burg bei Magdeburg, Regensburg, Neuburg, Salzburg, German: Straßburg, Lower Elsassish/Alsatian-German: Strossburi, Luxemburgish -buerg
Lëtzebuerg
-borg, -borj
Nordborg, Rendsborg, Sønderborg

-bourg in Northern French, via Old Saxon, Old English, Old Norse and German
Cherbourg, Cabourg, Bourbourg, le Neubourg, Luxembourg, Strasbourg
*felthuz
"plain, open land, field"
-field -fold
Huddersfield, Mansfield, Macclesfield, Mirfield, Wakefield, Sheffield, Moorfields, Dogmersfield, Aperfield, Archenfield, Kerfield, Whisterfield, Bentfield Green, Bloomfield, Westerfield, Summerfield, Thunderfield, Bassingfield, Lindfield, Englefield Green, Exfold, Penfold, Chiddingfold
-veld
Schinveld, Warnsveld
-feld, -felde, -filde
Bielefeld, Mansfeld, :de:Moorfeld, :de:Mirfeld, :de:Westerfilde, Sommerfeld, Urfeld, :de:Eichsfeld
*furdi-, *furdu-
"low water crossing"
-ford, -forth
Bradford, Guildford, Oxford, Stafford, Watford, Hereford, Sandford, Thetford, Stanford, Arford, Conford, Lemsford, Hannaford, Filford, Wyfordby, Catford, Gosforth, Garforth, Stainforth, Ampleforth, Handforth, Dishforth, Catforth, Shawforth, Birdforth, Yafforth, Hollowforth, Strafforth, Hartforth
-firth
Burrafirth, Holmfirth, Firth of Forth
-foort, -voort, -voorde
Amersfoort, Vilvoorde, Eexter-Zandvoort, Zandvoorde, Papenvoort
-ford, -fordt, -vörde, -forde
Herford, :de:Herzford, Bremervörde, :de:Diersfordt, :de:Conneforde, Osterforde, Lemförde, Buttforde, Bökenförde
-forth :de:Steinforth, :de:Bruneforth, :de:Kaiforth, :de:Honigforth, :de:Achelforth, :de:Stallforth, Braunsforth|-furt
Dietfurt, Erfurt, Frankfurt, Ochsenfurt, Steinfurt,
-fjord
Oslofjorden, Limfjord
-fort
Northern French Houllefort
-
*hafnō-
"harbor, port"
-haven "-avon"
Shellhaven, Sandhaven, Buckhaven, Newhaven, Whitehaven, Greenhaven, Peacehaven, Cockhaven, Middlehaven, Stonehaven, Littlehaven, Fairhaven, Balhaven, Cuckmere Haven, Orwell Haven, Holland Haven, Anton Haven, Cuckhold's Haven, Milford Haven, East Haven, Upavon, Wychavon
-haven
Eemshaven, Ketelhaven, Delfshaven
-haven
Bremerhaven, Wilhelmshaven, Cuxhaven
-hafen
Friedrichshafen
-hamn, -havn
København , Åkrahamn
Faroese: -havn
Tórshavn, Skudeneshavn
French Le Havre, several le Hable
*haima-
"homestead, dwelling"
-ham, -om
Denham, Dunham, Newham, Nottingham, Rotherham, Tottenham, Ickenham, Twickenham, Sydenham, Dagenham, Alkham, Wokingham, Manningham, Edmondsham, Kirkham, Gotham, Egham, Debenham, Bassingham, Foxham, Great Blakenham, Berkhamsted, Walthamstow, Ebbisham, Epsom, Wilsom, Besom, Hollom, Hysom, Allum Green, Cocum, Hoccum, Cottam, Hannam's Hall, Ednam, Dagnam Park, Buckinghamshire, Bodiam, Northiam, Mitchum
-em, -em, -en, -um -ham
Alphen, Berchem, Nossegem, Wevelgem, Zaventem, Blijham, :nl:Kolham, :nl:Dongjum, Drogeham, Foxham, Blankenham, Den Ham, Schophem, Dalhem
-um,
Alkersum, Nordenham, Bochum, Borkum, Wilsum, Walsum, Fulerum, Loccum, Arnum Bolzum, Achtum, Heyersum, Westernam
-am,-heim, -em, -um
Crailsheim, Kirchham, Hausham, :de:Hundham, :de:Borkerham, Mannheim, Pforzheim, Schiltigheim, Bassenheim, Hildesheim, Cochem, Waldhambach, Babensham, Egglham
-heim, -hem, -um, Trondheim, Varnhem, LerumUnknown East-Germanic language:
  • Boiohaimum
-ham, -hem, -ain, -ent in Northern French via Old Low Frankish, Old Norse or Old English Ouistreham, Étréham, Huppain, Surrain, Inxent
*hufa-
"enclosed area, garden"
-hope, -hop -op -hove
Woolhope, Stanhope, Mithope, Bullinghope, Byerhope, Dinchope, Dryhope, Longhope, Mythop, Northop, Middop, Glossop, Worksop, Warsop, Hove
-hof, -hoven, -hove
Wintershoven, Zonhoven, Volckerinckhove, Hove
-hoft,
Bockhoft, Ahrenshoft
-hof, -hofen
Bechhofen, Diedenhofen
-hof, -hoff
*hulmaz
"elevation, hill, island"
-holm, -holme, -hulme
Grassholm, Denholm, Buckholm, Marholm, Bromholm Priory, Killingholme, Hempholme, Skokholm, Nunburnholme, Hubberholme, Skyreholme, Holmsgarth, Holmwrangle, Holmethorpe, Holmbush, Holmwood, Holmsted, Holmegate, Steep Holm, Cobholm, Levenshulme, Kirkmanshulme
-holm
De Holm
-holm
Holm, Holm
-holm
Holm, Holm
-holm
Stockholm, Holm
Faroese: -hólmur
Gáshólmur
-homme, le Houlme, le Hom in Old Norman
Robehomme, le Houlme
W.Gmc. *kirika from Greek kyriakon, "Lord's assembly"-kirk
Colkirk, Falkirk, Ormskirk, Chadkirk, Peakirk, Romaldkirk, Halkirk, Woodkirk, Algarkirk, Laithkirk, Whitkirk, Oswaldkirk, Bradkirk Hall, Houndkirk Moor, Kirkcambeck, Kirkcudbright, Kirkwall, Kirkby, kirklees, Whitchurch, Stokenchurch, Baschurch, Dymchurch, Hornchurch, Offchurch, Kenderchurch, Churchover, Churchstoke, Churcham
-kerk, -kerke
Duinkerke , Middelkerke, Nijkerk, Ridderkerk, Koudekerk aan den Rijn, Adinkerke, Koolkerke, Kaaskerke, Klemskerke, Grijpskerk, Oldekerk, Niekerk
-kerk,
Aldekerk
-kirche, -kirchen
Feldkirch, Neunkirchen, Gelsenkirchen, Kirchweyhe, Kirchham
-kirke, -kyrkje, -kjerke
Kyrkjebø
-crique, -kerque in Northern French
Yvecrique, Criquetot, Dunkerque
*landom
"land, ground, soil"
-land
England, Ireland, Scotland, Sunderland, Northumberland, Shetland, Lothingland, Bishop Auckland, Holland, Breckland, Upholland, Rutland, Hartland, Kessingland, Westmorland, Heligoland, Leyland, Buckland, Kingsland, Westlands, West Midlands, Fenland, Litherland, Thurgoland, Dormansland, Leesland, Thurland Castle, Backaland, West Heogaland, Swaisland, Wringsland, Sealand, Ecklands, Austerlands, Maylandsea
-land
Friesland, Holland, Nederland , Zeeland, Gelderland, Westland, Nuland, Dirksland, Duiveland, Sint Philipsland, Flevoland, Hamaland, Heuvelland, Rilland, Kempenland, Reiderland, Engeland, Nieuwlande, Lageland, Pajottenland
-land -land
Deutschland, Sudetenland, Moormerland, Wangerland, Blockland, Holtland, Ammerland, Sauerland, Westerland, Saarland, Seeland, Münsterland, Vierlande, , Emsland, Burg-Reuland, Rheinland, Carinerland, Muttland, Südbrookmerland, Thurland, Neuholland, Oberneuland, Helgoland, Baselland, Arelerland
-land
Jylland , Sjælland , Nordland, Hjelmeland, Jørpeland, Iveland, Froland, Hogland , Oppland
-land, -lan in Northern French
château d'Ételan, Heuland, le Tingland, le Vatland, etc.
*rotha
"clearing"
-royd, -rode, -rod, -rith, -road, -royde
Ackroyd, Murgatroyd, Kebroyd, Hangingroyd, Boothroyd, Oldroyd, Mytholmroyd, Dockroyd, Odd Rode, Bergerode, North Rode, Wivelrod, Blackrod, Heyrod, Gollinrod, Ormerod, Harrod, Walkerith, Huntroyde Hall, Cockroad
-rade, -ray, -rode, -rooi
Asenray, Gijzenrooi, Landsrade, Middelrode, Nieuwrode, Nistelrode, Sint-Genesius-Rode, Stamproy
-rade, -rath, -rode, -roth -rod -rith
Overath, Radebeul, Radevormwald, Roth, Wernigerode, Heyerode, Darlingerode, Ivenrode, Hainrode, Rainrod, Rumrod, Wallmerod, Karith
-rud, -rød, -röd, -ryd, -rue -rui
Buskerud, Birkerød, Kajerød, Bergeröd, Tolvsrød
Rœulx, Rœux, Ruitz in Northern French Swiss: Cormérod
*stainaz
"stone"
-stan, -stam, -stein, -stone
Stanlow, Stanmore, Stanfree, Stanground, Stambermill, Waterstein, Dangstein, Stamford, Stonehaven, Staines, Stanwick, Stenhousemuir
-steen
Steenokkerzeel, Steenkwijk
-steen
Sleswig-Holsteen
-stein
Schleswig-Holstein, Stein, Steinfurt, Stein-Wingert
-sten, -stein-stain, -étan in Northern French
Grestain, Roche Gélétan, Étaimpuis, Estaimpuis
*thurpa-
"farm, settlement"
-thorp, -thorpe -throp -trop -thrup -drup -drop
Cleethorpes, Scunthorpe, Mablethorpe, Casthorpe, Catthorpe, Boothorpe, Ibthorpe, Cutthorpe, Swanthorpe, Ingmanthorpe, Copmanthorpe, Thorpeness, Burthrop, Heythrop, Winthrop, Colethrop, Casthrope House, Knostrop, Wilstrop, Westrop, Etrop, Upthrup, Pindrup, Staindrop, Newdrop, Souldrop, Burdrop, Huntingdrop, Hilldrop, Throop
-dorp
Hazerswoude-Dorp, Opdorp
-dorp, -trop
Dusseldorp , Bottrop, Waltrop, Frintrop, Uentrop, Hiltrop, Castrop-Rauxel, Huttrop
-dorf, -torf
Dorf
-torp, -arp, -rup Kattarp, Kastrup, OlofstorpLorrain -troff Bénestroff -tourp, -tour, Torp in Old Norman
Clitourps, Saussetour, le Torp-Mesnil
Lat vīcus
"dwelling place, village"
*wīhsą
"village, settlement"
-wich
Ipswich, Norwich, Harwich, Aldwych, Lower Ledwyche, Lutwyche Hall, Heckmondwike, Warwick, Alnwick, Gatwick, Lerwick, Hawick, Fenwick, Berwick, Gippeswyk Park, Walwick, Glodwick, Hardwicke, Rumboldswyke, Ankerwycke Yew, Lowick, Shopwyke, Casewick, Borthwick, Breiwick, Edgwick, Keckwick, Muggleswick, Osbaldwick, Barnoldswick, Smethwick, Withernwick, Plardiwick, Sesswick, Marwick Hall, Wick, Hamwick Green, Hackney Wick, East wick, Feldwicke Cottage, Marchweeke, Northweek, Highweek,
-wijk
Ewijk, Waalwijk, Harderwijk, Oisterwijk, Noordwijk, Beverwijk, Noorderwijk, Meeswijk, Wervik
-wig, -wich -wick
Sleswig-Holsteen , Kettwig, Dellwig, Sleswick, Brunswick, :de:Suderwich, :de:Suderwick, Schüttwich, Oer-Erkenschwick, :de:Berwicke, Lowick, :de:Harwick, :de:Crosewick, :de:Ellewick, :de:Wennewick, :de:Holtwick, :de:Kockelwick, :de:Marwick, Am Halswick, Feldwicker Weg
-wig, -wiek
Schleswig-Holstein, Prorer Wiek, Wyk
Craywick, Salperwick, French Flanders
*walhaz
"stranger, non-Germanic person"
wal-
Cornwall, Wales, Walsall, Walsden
wal-
Wallonië
wal-
Wallis
Unknown Germanic language:
Wallachia
Germanic wal- became:
  • gal- in Gaelic, via Old English
Galloway
  • gaul- in French, via Frankish
Gaul