Etymology of placenames derived from Celtic languages From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Celtic toponymy is the study of place names wholly or partially of Celtic origin. These names are found throughout continental Europe, Britain, Ireland, Anatolia and, latterly, through various other parts of the globe not originally occupied by Celts.
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Map of Celtic-influenced regions of Europe, in dark green 1 and 2: regions where Celtic languages are attested from the Middle Ages until today
In Proto-Celtic ("PC"), the Proto-Indo-European ("PIE") sound *pdisappeared, perhaps through an intermediate *ɸ. It is a common point between all the Celtic languages. Examples: Latin pater "father", but Gaulish *atir / ater (atrebo, dativ plural), (Old) Irish athair / athir.[1]
After that, languages derived from Proto-Celtic changed PC *kw into either *p or *k (see: P-Celtic and Q-Celtic languages). In P-Celtic languages, PC *kw changed into *p. In Q-Celtic dialects it developed into /k/.
Ancient Q-Celtic languages include the Continental Celtiberian and the Goidelic branch of Insular Celtic. Goidelic is the ancestor of the Gaelic languages Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Manx.
Celtic *bonus, *bona 'base, foundation' > Old Irish bun 'base, stem, stock', Welsh bon 'base, stem, stock'
Celtic *briga 'hill, high place'[3] > Welsh bri 'honourable, respected' (not directly related to Welsh bryn 'hill'), Irish brí 'hill; strength, vigour, significance'.
Celtic *brigant- 'high, lofty, elevated'; used as a feminine divine name, rendered Brigantia in Latin, Old Irish Brigit 'exalted one', name of a goddess.
Most of the main cities in France have a Celtic name (the original Gaulish one or the name of the Gaulish tribe).
Amiens: from Ambiani, a Celtic tribe, replaces Samarobriva 'bridge on the river Somme'
Angers: from Andecavi, a Celtic tribe, replaces Juliomagus 'market place dedicated to Julius'
Argentan: from Argentomagus 'silver market', based on arganto- 'silver' cognate to Old Welsh argant > ariant, Old Breton argant > Breton arc'hant 'silver' + magos 'market'
Caen < Catumagos: from Old Celtic *catu- 'battle' 'fight' 'combat', Old Irish cath 'battle, battalion, troop', Breton -kad /-gad, Welsh cad 'combat, troop'; 'mago- 'field, plain', Old Irish magh. The general meaning seems to be 'battlefield'[4]
Rouen < Rotomagus,[6] sometimes Ratómagos or Ratumacos (on the coins of the Veliocassi tribe). It can be roto-, the word for 'wheel' or 'race', cf. Old Irish roth 'wheel' 'race' or Welsh rhod 'wheel' 'race'. Magos is surer here: 'field', 'plain' or later 'market' cf. Old Irish mag (gen. maige) 'field' 'plain', Old Breton ma 'place'. The whole thing could mean 'hippodrome', 'racecourse' or 'wheel market'.[7]
Vernon < Vernomagus. There are other Vernons in France, but they come directly from Vernō 'place of the alder-trees'. 'plain of the alder-trees'. uernā 'alder-tree', Old Irish fern, Breton, Welsh gwern, dial. French verne / vergne.
Ansbach in Mittelfranken originally Onoltesbah 837 CE: from Celtic *onno-, 'ash tree' plus an OHG bach, 'small river'.
Boiodurum, now Innstadt, Passau, Niederbayern: first element is Celtic *Boio-, tribal name (Boii), possibly 'cattle-owner' (cf. Irish bó 'cow') or 'warrior'. Second element is Celtic *duro- 'fort'.
Boppard: from Gaulish Boudobriga, "hill of victory". Containing the elements *boudo- 'victory' (Welsh budd 'gain, benefit') + *briga, 'hill'.
Düren, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Latin Durum: from Celtic *duro- 'fort'
Hercynia Silva (Latin), a vast forest including the modern Black Forest: from Celtic *(φ)erkunos 'oak' or divine name Perkwunos + Latin silva 'forest'
Kempten im Allgäu, Bavaria, Latin Cambodūnum: Celtic cambodūnom, *cambo- 'curved, bent, bowed, crooked', dūnon 'fortress'
Mainz, Rheinland-Pfalz, Latin Moguntiacum: from Celtic *mogunt-, 'mighty, great, powerful', used as a divine name (see Mogons) + Celtic suffix -(i)acon
Meggingen: from Celtic *mago- 'plain, field'
Neumagen-Dhron, Rheinland-Pfalz, Latin Noviomagus Trevirorum
Noviomagus Nemetum (Latin), now Speyer, Rheinland-Pfalz: from Celtic *nowijo- 'new' (Welsh newydd) + *magos 'field, plain'
Remagen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Latin Rigomagus or Ricomagus: second element is from Celtic *magos 'field, plain'. The first may be a variant of Celtic *rigi- 'king, chief of *touta'
Tübingen: maybe hybrid form comprising a Celtic element and a Germanic suffix -ingen.[8] The element tub- in Tübingen could possibly arise from a Celtic dubo-, s.m., 'dark, black; sad; wild'. As found in the Anglo-Irish placenames of Dublin, Devlin, Dowling, Doolin and Ballindoolin. Perhaps the reference is to the darkness of the river waters that flow near the town cf. river Doubs (France) and Dove (GB); if so, then the name can be compared to Tubney, Tubbanford, Tub Hole in England. Compare the late Vulgar Latin tubeta 'morass', from Gaulish. The root is found in Old Irishdub > Irishdubh, Old Welshdub > Welshdu, Old Cornishduw > Middle Cornishdu, Bretondu, Gaulishdubo-, dubis, all meaning 'black; dark'
Worms, Rheinland-Pfalz, Latin Borbetomagus: second element from Celtic *magos, 'plain, field', first perhaps related to Old Irish borb 'fierce, violent, rough, arrogant; foolish'
Hungary
Hercynium jugum (Latin): from Celtic *(φ)erkunos 'oak' or divine name Perkwunos + Latin jugum 'summit'
Brianza, Lombardy, Latin Brigantia: from Celtic *brigant- 'high, lofty, elevated' (or divine name, Brigantia)
Genova, Liguria, English Genoa, Latin Genua: Perhaps from Celtic *genu- 'mouth [of a river]'. (However, this Ligurian place-name, as well as that of Genava (modern Geneva), probably derive the Proto-Indo-European root *ĝenu- 'knee'.[9])
Milano, Lombardy, English Milan, Latin Mediolanum: from Celtic medio- 'middle, central' > Old Irish mide 'middle, centre', Old Breton med, met > Breton mez 'middle', etc.[10] and *ɸlan- > *lan-, a Celtic cognate of Latin plānus 'plain', with typical Celtic loss of /p/ or *ɸlānos > Old Irish lán, Welsh llawn, Breton leun 'full'[10]
Belluno, Veneto, Latin Bellunum: from Celtic **Bhel- 'bright' and *dūnon 'fortress'.
Bergamo, Lombardy, Latin Bergomum: from Celtic *brigant- 'high, lofty, elevated' (or divine name, Brigantia)
Brescia, Lombardy, Latin Brixia: from Celtic *briga- 'rocky height or outcrop'.
Bologna, Emilia Romagna, Latin Bononia: from Celtic **bona 'base, foundation' (Welsh bôn 'base, bottom, stump')
Netherlands
Lugdunum Batavorum (Latin), now Katwijk, Zuid-Holland: from Celtic *lug- 'Lugus' (divine name) or perhaps 'light' + *dūnon 'fortress'
Nijmegen, Gelderland, Latin Ulpia Noviomagus Batavorum: from Celtic *nowijo- 'new' (Welsh newydd) + *magos 'field, plain'
Poland
Lugidunum (Latin), now (maybe) Legnica, Silesia: second element from Celtic *dūnon 'fortress'
Braga, Braga Municipality, Portugal: from Celtic *bracari- after the Bracari Celts.
Bragança, Alto Trás-os-Montes, Portugal: from Celtic *brigant- 'divine name, Brigantia'.
Beira: from Celtic *beira- Cailleach/ Cale's other name Cailleach-Bheura or Beira, the Celtic Goddess of mountains, water and Winter. Three Portuguese provinces: Beira-Baixa, Beira-Alta and Beira-Litoral
Tambre, a river in Galicia (Spain), Latin Tamaris: possibly from Celtic *tames- 'dark' (cf. Celtic *temeslos > Welsh tywyll 'darkness'). Other theories.
O Grove, Medieval Latin Ogrobre 912:[12] from Celtic *ok-ro- 'acute; promontory'[13] and Celtic *brigs 'hill'.
Bergantiños, Medieval Latin Bregantinos 830: from Celtic *brigant- 'high, lofty, elevated', or divine name Brigantia, or from Celtic *brigantīnos 'chief, king'.[14]
Dumbría, Medieval Latin Donobria 830: from Celtic *dūnon 'fortress' + Celtic **brīwa 'bridge'.
Val do Dubra and Dubra River, Galicia: from Celtic *dubr- 'water', *dubrās 'waters' (Welsh dwfr).
Monforte de Lemos (region), Latin Lemavos, after the local tribe of the Lemavi: from Celtic *lemo- 'elm' + suffix -avo.
Nendos (region), Medieval Latin Nemitos 830: from Celtic *nemeton 'sanctuary'.
Switzerland, especially the Swiss Plateau, has many Celtic (Gaulish) toponyms. This old layer of names was overlaid with Latin names in the Gallo-Roman period,[16] and, from the medieval period, with Alemannic German[17] and Romance[18] names.
For some names, there is uncertainty as to whether they are Gaulish or Latin in origin.
In some rare cases, such as Frick, Switzerland, there have even been competing suggestions of Gaulish, Latin and Alemannic etymologies.[19]
Examples of toponyms with established Gaulish etymology:
Solothurn, from Salodurum. The *-durum element means "doors, gates; palisade; town". The etymology of the *salo- element is unclear.
The main survey of Celtic place-names in this region is by Richard Coates and Andrew Breeze.[21] Evidence for a Celtic root to place names in England is widely strengthened by early monastic charters, chronicles and returns: examples relate to Leatherhead and Lichfield. To describe a place as of the Celts, the Old English wealh becoming Wal/Wall/Welsh is often used. This was the main Germanic term for Romano-Celtic peoples, such as the Britons. Such names are a minority, but are widespread across England. For example, a smattering of villages around the heart and east of The Fens hint at this: West Walton, Walsoken, and the Walpoles indicate their continued presence. Nearby Wisbech, King's Lynn and Chatteris have Celtic topographical elements.
Old Sarum, Wiltshire, Latin Sorviodūnum - second element from Celtic *dūnon 'fortress'
Segedunum (Latin), now Wallsend, Tyne and Wear - from Celtic for 'victorious', 'strength' or 'dry' (theories). Second element is Celtic *dūnon 'fortress'.
Sinodun Hills, south Oxfordshire - from Celtic *seno- 'old' + *dūnon 'fortress'
Trinovantum (Latin), now London - 'Of the Trinovantes', a tribal name, perhaps 'very energetic people' from Celtic *tri- (intensive) + *now- 'energetic', related to *nowijo- 'new' (Welsh newydd)
Verulamium (Latin), now St Albans, Hertfordshire - from Brittonic *weru- 'broad' + *lam- 'hand' [from Celtic *(φ)lāmā] (Welsh llaw, Irish láimh)
First element from Celtic *windo- 'white' (Welsh gwyn); in Vindolanda, Celtic *landā 'land, place' (Welsh llan). In Vindomora, second element could be 'sea' (Welsh môr, Irish muir):
York, Greek Ebōrakon, Latin Eboracum or Eburacum - from Celtic *eburo- 'yew'
Scotland
The post-6th century AD Brittonic languages of Northern England and Scotland were Cumbric and Pictish. Cumbric place-names are found in Scotland south of the River Forth,[25] while Pictish names are found to the north.[26]
Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire - from **aber ("river mouth").[27]
Applecross, Ross-shire - formerly Abercrosan, from aber ("river mouth").[27]
Arran - possibly equivalent to Middle Welsh aran ("high place").[28]
Aviemore, Inverness-shire - An Aghaidh Mhòr in Gaelic, possibly involving Brittonic *ag- ("a cleft").[29]
Ben Lomond, Stirlingshire - Lomond is equivalent to Welsh llumon ("beacon").[25]
Blantyre, Lanarkshire - equivalent to Welsh blaen ("extremes, source, front") + tir ("land").[25]
Liscard, Cheshire, possibly from Irish Gaelic lios na carraige meaning "fort of the rock".[39]
Noctorum, Cheshire, from Irish cnocc-tírim ("dry hill").[36]
Pool Darkin, Westmorland (Beetham), possibly from Gaelic poll ("pool") + the personal name *Dercan.[36]
Ravenglass, Cumberland, from Irish rann-Glas ("Glas's part/share").[36]
Torkin, Cumberland (Thursby), from Irish tor-cheann ("peak-head").[36]
Furthermore, some non-Goidelic place-names in mainly Northern and Midland England reference Irish personal names, due to Norse-Gaelic settlement Britain during the 10th century.
Carperby, Yorkshire containing the Irish Gaelic given-name Cairpe[40]
Dovenby, from personal name Dufan of Irish origin (OIr 'Dubhán')
Dunkenhalgh, Lancashire (Hyndburn), from the Gaelic personal name Donnchad (> English Duncan) (+ Old English halh, "haugh").[38]
Fixby, Yorkshire, from the Gaelic Irish personal name Fiach
Gatenby, Yorkshire, from the Irish personal name Gaithen (+ Old Norse byr, "farm").[36]
Yockenthwaite, Yorkshire, contains the Irish personal name Eogan (+ Old Norse þveit, "clearing").[36]
Place names that directly reference the Irish include Irby, Irby upon Humber, Ireby and Ireleth. Place names with Scot- or similar, such as Scothern in Lincolnshire or Scotton in the North Riding of Yorkshire, may refer to Gaelic speakers from Scotland or Ireland, since Old English Scottas originally had connotations of Irish Gaels.
The majority of placenames in the Highlands of Scotland (part of the United Kingdom) are either Scottish Gaelic or anglicized Scottish Gaelic. Gaelic-derived placenames are very common in the rest of mainland Scotland also. Pictish-derived placenames can be found in the northeast, while Brythonic-derived placenames can be found in the south.
Prósper, Blanca María (2002). Lenguas y Religiones Prerromanas del Occidente de la Península Ibérica. Universidad de Salamanca. p.375. ISBN978-84-7800-818-6.
Frick has been derived from (a) a Celtic word for "confluence", cognate with fork, (b) an Alemannic personal name Fricco and (c) Latin ferra ricia "iron mine, ironworks".
Bernhard Maier, Kleines Lexikon der Namen und Wörter keltischen Ursprungs, 2010, p. 51.
Julius Pokorny, IEW (1959:325), s.v. "ē̆reb(h)-, ō̆rob(h)- 'dark reddish-brown colour'": "alb.-ligur.-kelt.-germ. eburo- 'rowan, mountain ash, yew, evergreen tree with poisonous needles'."
Coates, Richard; Breeze, Andrew (2000). Celtic Voices, English Places: Studies of the Celtic Impact on Place-Names in Britain. Stamford: Tyas. ISBN1900289415..
