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Cardigan

2 stages from Welsh to English.

Today it means a knitted sweater that fastens down the front

Where does the word "cardigan" come from? It comes from Welsh Ceredigion, adopted directly into English (1868).

1
Stage 1 of 2
Ceredigion
Welsh · medieval
"a Welsh region"
'land of Ceredig', a 5th-century ruler said to be a son of Cunedda; its chief town was anglicised as Cardigan
2
Stage 2 of 2
cardigan
English · 1868
"knitted button-up jacket"
after James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, who led the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava in 1854; the knitted wool waistcoats he and his officers wore took his title
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Cardigan’s story begins in Welsh: Ceredigion meant “a Welsh region.” 'land of Ceredig', a 5th-century ruler said to be a son of Cunedda; its chief town was anglicised as Cardigan. It reached English by 1868 as cardigan. After James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, who led the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava in 1854; the knitted wool waistcoats he and his officers wore took his title. Today, cardigan means a knitted sweater that fastens down the front.