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What does the suffix "-sex" mean in English place names?

Question #118594. Asked by BaronBatty.
Last updated Jan 06 2017.

Related Trivia Topics: English Vocabulary

looney_tunes

Answer has 4 votes

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looney_tunes

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Answer has 4 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.

Saxon. It refers to places where the Saxons were in control. Wessex = western area of the Saxon territory, etc.

englishplacenames.co.uk no longer exists

We do see some counties that famously ended with the suffix -sex – Essex, Sussex, Middlesex and the former county of Wessex. The –sex ending doesn’t imply anything rude, merely that Saxons had settled there after they invaded. So Essex is kingdom of the East Saxons (Eastseaxe), Wessex the West, Sussex the South and Middlesex the Middle kingdom.

https://rumramruf.wordpress.com/2011/04/29/on-wetwang-souldrop-piddle-and-why-ashby-de-la-zouche-is-the-most-fascinating-place-name-in-england/

Response last updated by gtho4 on Jan 06 2017.
Nov 05 2010, 4:06 AM

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What does the suffix "-sex" mean in English place names?

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