City history
Explore the rich history of Cardiff, from its origins as a Roman stronghold to its evolution as a major Welsh capital and industrial hub.
Chapter one
Indigenous name
"Fort of Dydd"
The name Caerdydd is the Welsh name for Cardiff, with 'Caer' meaning fort or stronghold. The exact origin of the second element remains a subject of scholarly debate among historians.
Fortress
The original Welsh name for the settlement, denoting a fortified position.
Anglicized Caerdydd
The name became increasingly anglicized during the period of Norman influence and subsequent English administration.
Chapter two
With the expansion of the railways, Cardiff and the rest of the UK began transitioning from local solar time to Greenwich Mean Time to synchronize schedules.
The Summer Time Act 1916 introduced seasonal clock changes to conserve energy during the First World War, a practice that evolved into modern BST.
Chapter three
The opening of major docks transformed Cardiff into one of the world's largest coal exporting ports, fueling massive economic growth.
Cardiff was granted county borough status, marking its growing administrative importance and its newfound independence from the previous Glamorgan county governance structures.
Cardiff was officially granted city status by King Edward VII, recognizing its rapid growth and significance as a major coal exporting port.