The name Verterae, or Verteris,[1] is of Brittonic origin, and derived from the element werther, a plural form meaning either "ramparts" or "high places" (Middle Welsh gwarther).

Verterae was probably built by the Roman governor Gnaeus Julius Agricola between AD 79-80, as part of his campaign to conquer the north of Britain.

[6] The remains of a Roman fortlet known as Maiden Castle, lie 8km east of Verterae at NY 87212 13150.

Old gazetteers claim this fort gave its name to the Maiden Way – the old Roman road from nearby Bravoniacum (Kirkby Thore) north to Magnae (Carvoran) on Hadrian's Wall.

[2] Rubbish from the Roman period was discovered on the site in the mid-19th century, and archaeological excavations were carried out in 1923 by the government.