Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “Monmouth” come from?

Monmouth is an English place name derived from Old English mūþ meaning "mouth" (of a river), combined with a Welsh river name Mynwy, ultimately from Proto-Germanic munþaz and Proto-Indo-European men-.

Ancestry of “Monmouth”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishmouthThe opening of a creature through which food is...
2Middle EnglishmouþAlternative form of mouth
3Old Englishmūþmouth, opening, door, gate
4Proto-West Germanic*munþ—
5Proto-Germanicmunþazmouth
6Proto-Indo-Europeanmen-to think, mind; spiritual activity; to stay,...

Words derived from “Monmouth”

  • Monmouthshire
Every word from Proto-Indo-European men- →