Protecting place names (and adding a few more)

The List of Historic Place Names was established to record and protect Wales' place names, and to prevent them being replaced by new names. We're all aware of the more famous examples of this, like Faerdref Fach being called Happy Donkey Hill because of the new donkey sanctuary, or tourists calling Llyn Bochlwyd 'Lake Australia'. It's our duty to defend Wales' place names, and ensure that they are used for generations to come. In order to help us achieve that goal, Cylch yr Iaith have sent us a list of names which are under threat of anglicisation, and they've now been added to the List. Once a name is in the List it will be remembered, even if it's disappeared from the wall plaque, so it's vital that every place name in Wales finds its way to the List, in order to be safeguarded.

You can see the names here.

It's important to remember that history is an ongoing process, and that things which are modern now will be historic one day. That's why we collect contemporary names, as well as historic forms, so that nothing is lost. A good example of this is the map that we came across in Felinwynt, Ceredigion, which shows the names of all of the houses in the area, some historic, some modern. We've added the names to the List, and we want to do the same in other areas of the country, so if your Community Council or your village has a map of local place names, please take a photo and send it in to us.