Carlisle used to be called many different names throughout its long 2,000 year history, reflecting Roman, Celtic, and medieval origins. Originally, Carlisle was Roman fort and town called Luguvalium, meaning fortified town of Luguvalus, named after Celtic chieftain Luguvalus, established around 72 AD as Roman fort on northern frontier near Hadrian's Wall. After Romans left around 410 AD, it was called Cair Ligualid in Old Welsh and Cumbric, meaning fort of Luel, derived from same personal name. In Old English, it was called Luel or Carleol. The name evolved to Carlisle from medieval Latin Carleolum and Old English Carleol. Some medieval documents called it Karliol or Cardeol. In Viking times, it may have been called by Norse name. So Carlisle used to be called Luguvalium in Roman times, which is most famous ancient name, then Cair Ligualid in early medieval Welsh, then Carleol in Norman times, before becoming Carlisle. The name Luguvalium is still used for Roman Carlisle in history books. The change from Luguvalium to Carlisle reflects evolution from Roman to Celtic to English language, with Caer meaning fort. So what Carlisle used to be called was Luguvalium as Roman town, which is its oldest known name, used for about 400 years of Roman Britain.
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