Celtic toponymy from Brythonic *"crüg" 'hill' (Irish "cruach") From tribal name "Dumnonii" or "Dumnones", from Celtic *"dumno-" 'deep', 'world' From Celtic *"dubr-" 'water', *"dubrās" 'waters' (Welsh "dwfr"; Breton "dour") First element is possibly "dun", ' hill fort' (Welsh ddin, 'fort'). First element from Celtic *"duro-" 'fort'; in "Dūrobrīvae", Celtic *"brīwa" 'bridge' Possibly derived from Brythonic *"iska", 'water, fish' and *"leith", 'damp, wet'. From Celtic *"iska" 'water' (Irish "uisce"); second element in "Isca Dumnoniorum" (Exeter) is a tribal name (see "Devon") From Brythonic *"lēd-" [from Celtic *"leito-"] + *"rïd-" [from Celtic *"(φ)ritu-"] = "Grey Ford" From Celtic *"lindo-" 'pool' + Latin "colonia" 'colony'
Isca Dumnoniorum their initial invasions, the Romans established a 'playing-card' shaped fort () at the site around 55. It was the base of the strong Second Augustan Legion () for the next 20 years before they moved to Isca Augusta (modern Caerleon in Wales). Both Iscas were also home to their families as settlements are thought to have grown up outside the fortress gates, especially to the north-east. Buildings within the fortress, such as barracks, granaries, and workship (), were timber structures, the post-trenches of which were excavated in the 1970s in advance of the Guildhall shopping centre development. The only known