Where does “Halifax” come from?
Halifax derives from Old English halh-ġefeaxe, combining halh with Old English feax, from Proto-Germanic fahsą and ultimately Proto-Indo-European peḱ-, meaning to pluck or pull out hair.
Halifax (English): 20km south-west of Leeds OS grid ref SE0925
Definitions
- 20km south-west of Leeds OS grid ref SE0925
Ancestry of “Halifax”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old English | halh-ġefeaxe | — |
| 2 | Old English | healh | corner, angle; recess, nook |
| 3 | Old English | ford | ford |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | furdu | ford |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | furduz | ford |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | pértus | crossing |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |