Welsh place names in other countries

Last updated September 16, 2025

This is a list of place-names in countries outside of Wales which are named after places in Wales, or derived from the Welsh language, or are known to be named after a Welsh person.

Argentina

Chubut
- Dolavon - from Dolafon, the Welsh for 'meadow by the river'.
- Puerto Madryn - named after the Welsh estate of Sir Love Jones-Parry.
- Trelew - named after Welsh settler Lewis Jones.
- Trevelin - from Trefelin, the Welsh for 'Mill Town'.

Australia

New South Wales - Captain James Cook originally called it 'New Wales', later adding the 'South'.^[1]
- Aberdare
- Aberglasslyn - likely corruption of Aberglaslyn
- Abermain
- Allynbrook - from River Alyn
- Bangor - named after the birthplace of the landowner.
- Cardiff - name suggested by a Welsh settler in 1889.
- Llanarth - suburb of Bathurst, from Llanarth
- Llandilo
- Llangothlin - anglicisation of Llangollen
- Swansea - a coal mining community.
Queensland
Tasmania
- Abergavenny
- Beaumaris named after Beaumaris
- Swansea - settled by people from Pembrokeshire, Wales
Victoria
- Anglesea - corruption of Anglesey
- Llanelly - either from Llanelly or Llanelli
- Welshpool
Western Australia
- Carnarvon - named after Henry Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon; anglicisation of Caernarfon
- Welshpool
- Perth [Brythonic/Pictish/Old Welsh from the Scottish City of Perth]

Canada

Alberta
- Berwyn
- Caernarvon
- Cardiff - a hamlet near Alberta's first coal mine.
Ontario
- Bala - It is considered one of the hubs of cottage country located north of Toronto.
- Cardiff - a small mining community.
- Pontypool - unincorporated village, used as the setting for a movie of the same name

England

Herefordshire: Numerous villages, parishes and farms in the Archenfield region adjacent to Wales, including:
- Bagwyllydiart
- Ewyas Harold
- Llangarron
- Llanveynoe
- Maes-coed
- Pontrilas
Shropshire: Numerous villages, parishes and farms, notably in the Oswestry area adjacent to Wales, including:

- Bettws-y-Crwyn
- Brogyntyn
- Bryn-y-Cochin
- Coed-y-Go
- Craigllwyn
- Croesau Bach
- Hengoed
- Llanforda
- Llanyblodwel
- Llawnt
- Llynclys
- Nant-y-Gollen
- Pant
- Pant Glas
- Pentre Pant
- Rhyn
- Selattyn
- Trefonen
- Wern Ddu

Worcestershire:
- Malvern
- Pensax

Jamaica

Welsh settlers arrived on the island, most notably the infamous Welsh governor, Henry Morgan, and influenced placenames.^[2]

Bangor Ridge (Portland)
Llandilo (Westmoreland)
Llandovery (St Ann)
Llandewey (St Thomas)

Nepal

Western Cwm - a glacial valley on the face of Mount Everest (cwm is Welsh for 'valley')

New Zealand

North Island
- Brynderwyn Range
- Cardiff
South Island
- Bryndwr (Christchurch)
- Milford Sound

South Africa

Llandudno, Cape Town

United States

Alabama
- Bangor
- Cardiff
- Powell
Arizona
- Swansea - a former copper mining town.
California
- Bryn Mawr
- Cardiff-by-the-Sea
- Swansea - a former mining town.
Illinois
- Bryn Mawr
- Cardiff - formerly a coal mining town
- Swansea
Kansas
- Powell Observatory in Wea Township, Miami County
Kentucky
- Owensboro - named for Abraham Owen.
Maine
- Bangor
- Pembroke
Maryland
- Berwyn Heights
- Cardiff - formerly a slate mining town
Massachusetts
- Pembroke
- Swansea
Michigan
- Howell
- Howell Township, Livingston
Minnesota
- Bryn Mawr
Missouri
- Howell
- Howell County
- Powell, Cass County
- Powell Gardens in Kingsville
- Powell Hall, St. Louis
- Powell, McDonald County
Nebraska
- Powell
New Jersey
- Howell Township, Monmouth County
- Monmouth County
New York
- Bangor
- Pembroke
Ohio
- Powell
Pennsylvania See Welsh tract for more information
- Bala Cynwyd
- Bangor - the first Chief Burgess an emigrant from Wales.
- Berwyn
- Bryn Athyn
- Bryn Mawr - founded by Welsh Quakers.^[3]
- Caernarvon Township
- Upper Gwynedd and Lower Gwynedd Townships.
- Haverford
- Montgomery County
- Narberth
- Nanty Glo - from the Welsh nant y glo, stream of coal.^[4]
- North Wales
- Radnor Township
- Tredyffrin Township ^[4]
South Carolina
- Swansea
South Dakota
- Powell, Edmunds County
- Powell, Haakon County
Tennessee
- Cardiff - an iron and coal mining town
- Powell
Texas
- Powell
Utah
- Howell
- Lake Powell on the border between San Juan & Kane counties
Wisconsin
- Powell
Wyoming
- Powell

References

↑ Captain Cook's Journal: Preface, The University of Adelaide eBooks. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
↑ Dr. Rebecca Tortello, The People Who Came, The Gleanor, June 7, 2004. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
↑ The Quakers of Dolgellau, BBC North West Wales, 17 January 2008. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
1 2 0966e Gwefan Cymru-Catalonia, The Wales Catalonia website. Retrieved 2012-01-14.

External links

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[1] Captain Cook's Journal: Preface, The University of Adelaide eBooks. Retrieved 2012-01-12.

[2] Dr. Rebecca Tortello, The People Who Came, The Gleanor, June 7, 2004. Retrieved 2012-01-12.

[3] The Quakers of Dolgellau, BBC North West Wales, 17 January 2008. Retrieved 2012-01-14.

[Cyn-Cat-4] 1 2 0966e Gwefan Cymru-Catalonia, The Wales Catalonia website. Retrieved 2012-01-14.

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