In response to Brian Hayes’ letter (February 7, South Wales Argus) the name Usk is derived from the Brythonic/Welsh Wysg.
The name predates the arrival of the Romans who rendered it as Isca and it probably meant “abounding in fish”.
The name Caerllion/Caerleon is derived – not from French gare – but from the Welsh word caer, which means fort.
It can be seen in many other names across Wales like Caernarfon and Caerfyrddin.
The second element llion (leon) is the Welsh for legion. The name therefore means the fort of the legion.
Finally, the earliest written examples of the Welsh language date from the 6th and 7th centuries. Poets, storytellers, theologians, historians, lawyers and many others have written in the language ever since.
Ruth Willis
Newport
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