Newport, RI – Where did the name Newport come from?

You might be wondering, why is Newport called Newport? Is there an old port? What’s the oldest Newport in the US out of the 40+ Newports that exist?

All really solid questions, good job guys. 

Newport, Rhode Island, settled in 1639, is the oldest Newport in the US. It was named after Newport, Wales. 

The Welsh Newport got its name as a “new port” on the River Usk, distinguishing it from Caerleon, an older port upriver. 

In Welsh, it’s called Casnewydd (literally “new castle”), or Casnewydd-ar-Wysg (“new castle on the River Usk”). Why? Because after the Norman conquest of Wales, the Normans built a castle at Newport. 

So the English name Newport highlights its function as a new port town, while the Welsh name highlights the new Norman castle. So technically, Newport could’ve been Newcastle.