Neufchâtel

The story

French, from the region Neufchâtel-en-Bray in Normandy. The placename is originally inspired by the Celtic/Gaulish name Novientum (“new establishment”), reflecting its beginnings as a primitive Gaulish settlement in ancient Normandy. In the 12th century, Henry I Beauclerc, Duke of Normandy, constructed a castle there, initially named Chastel-Nof which evolved into Neufcastel by the 13th century. Over time, the pronunciation shifted, muting the [f] in neuf, resulting in the modern Neufchâtel, a change influenced by educational standardization similar to other toponyms like Neuchâtel. Compare English Newcastle.