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Origin and meaning of some Dutch and Flemish place names Many names of Dutch and Flemish cities, towns, and villages are derived from the names of local rivers, and other watery features. Amsterdam = dam on the river Amstel Rotterdam = dam on the river Rotte Edam = dam on the river Ee Brussel = swamp dwelling Breda = wide river Gouda = golden river Amersfoort = ford across the river Amer Coevorden = cow-ford Maastricht = ford across the river Maas (Meuse) Delft = ditch Brugge (English: Bruges) = quay Middelburg = middle borough (fortress) Muiden = mouths, i.e. delta Antwerpen (English: Antwerp) = accretion of land by the sea Some other names: Almelo = Elm forest Arnhem = Arno's home (the name Arno means 'eagle') Eindhoven = Farms at the end Enschede = on the border Hasselt = Hazel woods 's-Hertogenbosch = the Duke's forest The oldest recorded names date from the Roman period, and are of Latin or Celtic origin. Nijmegen (from Noviomagus) = new market Heerlen (Coriovallum) = army wall Both Maastricht and Utrecht contain the Latin word traiectum 'ferry, crossing'<>© DutchToday 2008 |
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