English‑Named Places in Jamaica: 10 Historic Examples

After capturing Jamaica from Spain in 1655, the British renamed or established many settlements. Ten notable examples:

1. Kingston – Capital, named after Kingston upon Thames, England.
2. Port Royal – Infamous 17th‑century pirate haven and Royal Navy base.
3. Montego Bay – Anglicized from Spanish “Manteca Bay” (lard bay); added “Bay”.
4. Ocho Rios – Kept Spanish name (“Eight Rivers”); English adopted it.
5. Mandeville – Named after Mandeville, England (in Surrey).
6. Spanish Town – Former capital (originally Spanish “Villa de la Vega”); English retained descriptive name.
7. Port Antonio – English‑named northeast port.
8. Discovery Bay – Named by English for Columbus’s 1492 landing.
9. Runaway Bay – Named for escaped slaves (Maroons) who settled there.
10. Hellshire – Likely from “Hell’s Gate,” a descriptive English toponym.

These names reflect the layered colonial history of the island.