names - Meaning of suffix '-sex' in 'Sussex, Middlesex'



I know that Sussex and Middlesex are in England. It looks to me as if there is a pattern in names.


What does the suffix -sex mean? Where does it come from?



Answer



The -sex suffix is from Anglo-Saxon / Old English, with the actual meaning being "Saxon".



  • Sussex is essentially "South Saxon".

  • Middlesex is "Middle Saxon".

  • Essex is "East Saxon".

  • Wessex is "West Saxon".​​​​​​​


Most of the wiki pages for these places will have the toponymy definition.


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