List of Latin names for cities or towns in Continental Europe, Ireland and Scandinavia

This list includes European cities or towns that were part of the Roman Empire, or that were given Latin place names in historical references. As a large portion of the latter were only created during the Middle Ages, often based on scholarly etiology, this is not to be confused with a list of the actual names the settlements bore during the classical era.

Background Until the Modern Era, Latin was the common language for scholarship and mapmaking. During the 19th and 20th centuries, German scholars in particular have made significant contributions to the study of historical place names, or Ortsnamenkunde. These studies have, in turn, contributed to the study of genealogy. For genealogists and historians of pre-Modern Europe, knowing alternate names of places is vital to extracting information from both public and private records. Even specialists in this field point out, however, that the information can be easily taken out of context, since there is a great deal of repetition of place names throughout Europe; reliance purely on apparent connections should therefore be tempered with valid historical methodology.

Caveats and notes Latin place names are not always exclusive to one place — for example, there were several Roman cities whose names began with Colonia and then a more descriptive term. During the Middle Ages, these were often shortened to just Colonia. One of these, Colonia Agrippinensis, retains the name today in the form of Cologne.

Early sources for Roman names show numerous variants and spellings of the Latin names.

The modern canonical name is listed first. Sources are listed chronologically. In general, only the earliest source is shown for each name, although many of the names are recorded in more than one of the sources. Where the source differs in spelling, or has other alternatives, these are listed following the source. As an aid to searching, variants are spelled completely, and listed in most likely chronology.

Superscripts indicate: Latinized form of the Greek-derived name. Latinized form of the Asian-derived name via Greek. Altered Latinized form of the Greek-derived name.

Cities and towns in Austria

Canonical Latin name (source(s): variant(s)) English name (native language(s)) – older name(s), (other language(s)), location(s) Brigantium, Brigantia Bregenz Carnuntum Bad Deutsch-Altenburg / Petronell Chremisa Krems Idunum Judenburg Iuenna Jaunstein – (Podjuna), Völkermarkt Iuvavum, Iuvavia, Salisburgum Salzburg Lentia Linz Noreia Neumarkt in der Steiermark Oenipons Innsbruck Ovilava Wels Veldidena Wilten Vindóbona, Vienna (Austriae) Vienna (Wien) Virunum, Maria in Solio Maria Saal – (Gospa Sveta)

Cities and towns in Belgium

Canonical Latin name (source(s): variant(s)) English name (native language(s)) – older name(s), (other language(s)), location(s) Aldenarda Oudenaarde (nl), Audenarde (fr)AlliacumAlken Alostum Aalst (nl), Alost (fr)AndagiumSaint-Hubert Anderlacum AnderlechtAnglomonasteriumIngelmunsterAntoniumAntoing Antverpia Antwerp, Antwerpen (nl), Anvers (fr)Aquae Luvienses TungrorumSpaArschotiumAarschotAthumAth (fr), Aat (nl) Atuatuca Tungrorum Tongeren (nl), Tongres (fr) Atuatuca Tungrorum et BorchloniumTongeren-Borgloon (nl), Tongres-Looz (fr)AudergemiumAuderghem (fr), Oudergem (nl)BalliolumBelœilBastonacumBastogne (fr), Bastenaken (nl) BellomontiumBeaumontBinchiumBincheBorchloniumBorgloon (nl), Looz (fr) Bruga Bruges (fr), Brugge (nl) Brosella Brussels, Brussel (nl), Bruxelles (fr)BullioniumBouillonBussutumBoussuCamasiacumKemzeke CaroloregiumCharleroiCassiniacum KessenichCastellariumChâteletCastrumKasterChiniacumChinyCimaiumChimayComineumComines (fr), Komen (nl)ComitiacumKumtichCondacumKontich CouvinumCouvin Cortoriacum, Cortracum Kortrijk (nl), Courtrai (fr)DalemumDalhem Damma, Dammum Damme (nl)DionantumDinantDurbetumDurbuyDurnumDourFelsecumVelzekeForestumForest (fr), Vorst (nl) Furna Veurne (nl) Gandavum Ghent, Gent (nl), Gand (fr)GaudiacumGooikGeldoniacum, GeldoniaJodoigne (fr), Geldenaken (nl)GemblacumGembloux (fr), Gembloers (nl)GerardimontiumGeraardsbergen (nl), Grammont (fr)HaleniumHalenHanutumHannut (fr), Hannuit (nl)HasseletumHasseltHelissemiumHélécineHeristaliumHerstalHoiumHuy (fr), Hoei (nl)HulpenumLa Hulpe (fr), Terhulpen (nl)LendiumLens Leodium Liège (fr), Luik (nl), Lüttich (de)LiniacumLennikLimburgumLimbourg (fr), Limburg (nl) Lovanium Leuven (nl), Louvain (fr)MalmunderiumMalmedyMontiniacum MontenakenNamurcumNamur (fr), Namen (nl)Novum CastrumNeufchâteauNovum LovaniumLouvain-la-NeuveNovus PortusNieuwpoort (nl), Nieuport (fr) Orolaunum Arlon (fr), Aarlen (nl)OttiniacumOttigniesRodiumLe Rœulx Rothnacum Ronse (nl), Renaix (fr)SeraniumSeraingSetiliacumZellikSichemiumZichemStockhemiumStokkemSunniacumSoignies (fr), Zinnik (nl) Tamasiacum, Tamisiacum, Temsica Temse (nl), Tamise (fr) Teneramonda Dendermonde (nl)TiletumTieltTiliacumTilly Tornacum Nerviorum Tournai (fr), Doornik (nl)TudinumThuinTurnholtumTurnhoutVarnetoniumWarneton (fr), Waasten (nl)VillariacumWilrijk Viroviacum Wervik (nl), Wervicq (fr)VisetumVisé (fr), Wezet (nl)VodgoriacumWaudrezWaterloumWaterlooZuindracum Zwijndrecht

Cities and towns in the Czech Republic

Canonical Latin name (source(s): variant(s)) English name (native language(s)) – older name(s), (other language(s)), location(s) Alta Muta Vysoké Mýto Beneschovium Benešov Broda Bohemica Český Brod Brunna Brno Budovisium České Budějovice Carnovia Krnov Colonia Kolín Eburum, Olomutium, Olomucium Olomouc Luna Louny Nova domus Jindřichův Hradec Oppavia Opava Ostravia Ostrava Pilsenum, Pilsna Plzeň Praga Prague (Praha) Racona Rakovník Vallis Gaudiorum Bruntál Verona Beroun Znoimium Znojmo

Cities and towns in Denmark

Canonical Latin name (source(s): variant(s)) English name (native language(s)) – older name(s), (other language(s)), location(s) Arus, Arhus Århus Fredericia Fredericia Hafnia Copenhagen (København) Othonia Odense Sora Sorø Wellea Vejle Wibergis Viborg

Cities and towns in Estonia

Canonical Latin name (source(s): variant(s)) English name (native language(s)) – older name(s), (other language(s)), location(s) Arx Aquilae Kuressaare Pernavia, (Nova) Perona Pärnu Revalia Tallinn Tarbatum, Tharbata Tartu

Cities and towns in Finland

Canonical Latin name (source(s): variant(s)) English name (native language(s)) – older name(s), (other language(s)), location(s) Aboa Turku – (Åbo) Arctopolis Pori – (Björneborg) Arx Savonum Savonlinna – (Nyslott) Arx Tavastiae, Tavasteburgum Hämeenlinna – (Tavastehus) Borgoa Porvoo – (Borgå) Brahestadium Raahe – (Brahestad) Cajaneburgum Kajaani – (Kajana) Carolina Vetus Kokkola – (Karleby, Gamlakarleby) Christinea Kristinestad – (Kristiinankaupunki) Espo Espoo – (Esbo) Fredericia Hamina – (Fredrikshamn) Granivicus Jyväskylä Helsinkium, Helsingia Helsinki – (Helsingfors) Michaelia Mikkeli – (S:t Michel) Neo-Carolina Nykarleby – (Uusikaarlepyy) Neostadium Uusikaupunki – (Nystad) Ostia Carelorum Joensuu Portus Mariae Mariehamn – (Maarianhamina) Raumoa Rauma – (Raumo) Sala Salo Tammerforsia Tampere – (Tammerfors) Tornea Tornio – (Torneå) Uloa Oulu – (Uleåborg) Vallis Gratiae Naantali – (Nådendal) Vantania Vantaa – (Vanda) Vasa Vaasa – (Vasa)

Cities and towns in France

Canonical Latin name (source(s): variant(s)) English name (native language(s)) – older name(s), (other language(s)), location(s) Adiacium Ajaccio Alberti campus Champaubert Andematunnum, Lugdunum, Lingones Langres Aquae Sextiae Aix-en-Provence Antissiodorum, Autesiodorum Auxerre Arelate, Colonia Iulia Paterna Arelatensium Sextanorum Arles – (Arle) Argentoratum Strasbourg Arpajonum, Arpajoni castrum, Arpacona Arpajon, Paris Atrebatum Arras, Pas-de-Calais Augusta Argentorate Strasbourg Augustobona Tricassium, Tricassae Troyes Augustodurum, Bajocae, Bajocassium civitas Bayeux Augustodunum Autun Aurelianum Orléans Autricum, civitas Carnutum, Carnutes Chartres Avenio Avignon Belna Beaune Brestum, Brestia, Brivates Portis Brest Briva Isara Pontoise Burdigala Bordeaux Catalaunum, Catelaunorum Châlons-sur-Marne Catculliacum Saint-Denis, Paris Condate Riedonum Rennes Crisenaria Cressy Cularo Grenoble Damovilla Damville Darioritum Vannes Dinia, Diniensium civitas Digne-les-Bains, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence Divio Dijon Divodurum Metz Durocortorum Reims Flavia (GOL: Flaviacum) Saint-Germer-de-Fly, Oise Flaviniacum (GOL: Flaviacum) Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, Côte-d'Or Gesoriacum, Bononia Boulogne-sur-Mer Glanum Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône Lemonum, civitas Pictonum, Pictones Poitiers Lugdunum, Colonia Copia Claudia Augusta Lugdunum Lyon Lugdunum Clavatum Laon Lugdunum Convenarum Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges Lutetia Paris Massilia Marseille Medicinum Mézin, Lot-et-Garonne Mediolanum Aulercorum Évreux Mediolanum Santonum Saintes Narbo Martius Narbonne, Aude Nemausus Nîmes Nicaea, Nicia Nice Noviodunum Soissons Noviomagus Lexoviorum (GOL: Lexovium) Lisieux, Calvados Noviomagus Veromanduorum (GOL: Noviomium, Noviomense palatium, Noviomum, Novionum) Noyon, Oise Novio Rito (GOL: Niortum, Novirogus, Nyrax) Niort, Deux-Sèvres Portus Namnetum Nantes Ramboletium Rambouillet Rotomagus Rouen Samarobriva Amiens Sancti Audoeni fanum, villa aut domus Saint-Ouen, Paris Spinetum, Spinogelum, Spinoilum, Espinolum Épinay-sur-Orge, Paris Tolosa Toulouse Tullum Leucorum Toul Caesarodunum, Augusta Turonum, Metropolis civitas Turonum, Turonica civitas, Turones, T(h)oronus Tours Tutelae Tulle Verodunum Verdun – Wirten Vesontio Besançon Vienna Allobrogium Vienne, Isère Viennavicus Vienne-en-Val, Loiret Vierium Vihiers, Maine-et-Loire

Cities and towns in Germany