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22 May 2013
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Milford Haven

melr
Old Norse : sand-hill, sand bank
fjordr
Old Norse : fiord, inlet

You would be excused for thinking that Milford is a combination of two English words mill and ford but in fact it is a name which shows evidence of the Scandinavian presence in Pembrokeshire.

The Old Norse elements are melr (sand-hill, sand bank) and fjordr (fiord, inlet). The name Milford Haven therefore means 'harbour of the fiord by the sand bank'.

Early references of the name are to the harbour or haven not the modern town. Somewhat later, when the significance of fjordr in the name had been lost, Haven was added.

Aberdaugleddau is the Welsh name for Milford Haven.

Audio/Video

Watch clip

Nikki Bosworth explains the Viking origin of the name Milford Haven and the influence of the two Cleddau rivers on the Welsh name, Aberdaugleddau.
Related links

More on foreign influences on place names

Your Comments

Paul Traywick, SC, USA
The Haven and its navigational aids, especially those associated with the West Channel, are of great interest, particularly to those interested in beacons, lighthouses, and lightships, or -buoys. It would be grand to have a not-too-detailed, BIG nautical map available. I haven't been over there since 1967, and the farthest west I've been is probably Ludlow, but I have beautiful Milford Haven in my sights.

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