/ˈlæŋ.kæs.tər/·noun (proper)·11th century (Domesday Book)·Established
Origin
Lancaster combines the Celtic river name Lune with OldEnglish ceaster (from Latin castra, fortified camp), marking a Roman fort site that became the seat of a powerful medieval duchy.
Definition
A city in northwest England, historically the county town of Lancashire, situated on the River Lune
The Full Story
Old English / Latin11th centurywell-attested
Lancaster combines two elements: the River Lune and OldEnglish ceaster (from Latin castra, 'fortified camp'). The Domesday Book (1086) records it as Loncastre. The river name Lune is of Celtic (Brythonic) origin, possibly from a rootmeaning 'healthy' or 'pure' (compare Welsh llwn, 'pure'). The second
Did you know?
The Duchy of Lancaster still exists as a possession of the reigning British monarch. The traditional loyal toast in Lancashire is not 'The King' but 'The Duke of Lancaster' — even when the monarch is a queen, she holds the title Duke, not Duchess.