Jerez de la Frontera
/xeˈɾeθ ðe la fɾonˈteɾa/noun
A city in Andalusia, Spain, famous for sherry production, flamenco, and Andalusian horse culture.
Did you know?The word “sherry” developed from older forms of Jerez, including Spanish “Xeres”; English speakers eventually mistook the ending of “sherris” for a plural and created the singular “sherry.”
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Islamic Iberia
Local Iberian/Roman
[uncertain earlier form]
“The ultimate pre-Arabic origin of Jerez is disputed; scholars have proposed connections with ancient names in the region, but no single derivation is certain.”
8th–13th Century
Arabic
Šarīš
“The Arabic place-name for Jerez, recorded during Muslim rule in al-Andalus.”
13th Century
Old Spanish
Xerez
“Castilian forms of the city’s name after its conquest by Alfonso X in 1264.”
13th–15th Century
Spanish
Xerez de la Frontera
““Jerez of the frontier,” referring to its position near the medieval frontier between Christian Castile and Muslim Granada.”
16th–17th Century
English
sherris / sherry
“English names for wine from Jerez, derived through older Spanish forms such as “vino de Xeres.””
Modern Spanish
Spanish
Jerez de la Frontera
“The modern official name of the Andalusian city; “Jerez” is commonly pronounced with the Spanish jota sound.”