Skip to main content

If Breton, Welsh and Cornish towns were twinned to match their names..


ELEMENT
CORNISH
WELSH
BRETON
Arcae/argae
OB: arcae, ‘dam’ or ‘embankment’ [W: argae]

Rhyderargeau, Penyrargae, Argae Alwen
Erquy (22); Ergué-Gabéric (29)
Banadl
OB: plu/plou, ‘parish’ and B: banadl, ‘broom’ [W: banadl/banhadlog, ‘broom’/’broom patch’]. 
Bonallack
Cefn Banadl, Bronbanadl, Maesbanadlog, Banhadlog
Bannalec, Plobannalec-Lesconil (29); Plobannalec (56)
Bangor
W: ban, ‘higher’ and W: cor, ‘religious community’, ‘assembly’.

Bangor, Bangor Telfi
Bangor (56)
Beth/bedd
OB/B: bed/bez, ‘grave’, ‘tomb’ [OC: beth; W: bedd]. 
Trembethow
Beddgelert
Rospez
Bran/brain
B: bran/brain, ‘crow/s’ [W: brân/brain; C: bran/brain].
Brane, Mellanvrane
Cwm-Brân, Nant-Brân
Brest
From OB: bre(st) [W/C: brest] ‘hill-breast’.
Brea
Brest Cum-Llwd, Brestbally
Brest (29)
Broenn/brwyn
B: broenn, ‘rushes’, ‘marshland shrub’ [W: brwyn, brwynen; C: bronnen].
Brunnion
Brwynog, Brwynen, Cwmbrwyn
Broons (22)
Bu/bual
B: bu, ‘cow’, ‘cattle’ [W: bu/buw/buyn; C: buch/beuh];  B: bual, ‘ox’, ‘buffalo’ [W/C: bual].
B(u)ohortha

Beudiau, Beudy-Mawr, Builth
Bovel (35); Bohal, Bubry, Buléon (56);
Cambot/cwmwd
OB: cambot, ‘commote’ [W: cwmwd/cwmbod].


Cefn Cwmwd, Mynydd Tir-y-cwmwd
Le Cambout (22); Cambot, Combout (29)
Coll
B: coll, ‘hazel’ [W: collen/cyll/coll].
Nancegollan, Tregolls
Cyll, Colfa, Cwrt-y-gollen

Argol
Caro
B: c/karo, ‘deer’, ‘stag’ [C: carow/kerrow; W: carw].
Kerrow, Lancarrow
Cilcarw, Gally-y-carw

Caro, Porcaro (56)
Carn
B: karn, ‘cairn’ [OC: carn; W: carn]
Carn Barra, Carn Du, Carn Euny, Carn Scathe
Aber-carn, Carn-bean, Carno, Pen-y-garn
Carnoët (22); Carnac (56)
Com/coombe/cwm
B: cum/com, ‘dale’ [C: coombe, cubm, cum; W: cwm]
Coombe; Ilfracombe (Devon)
Cwmbran, Cwmcewydd
Commana (29); Combourg
Combourtillé (35)
Croes/croaz
B: croes/ kroaz, ‘cross’ [W: croes; C: crowz, crouse].
Angrouse, Crows-an-Wra
Pen-y-groes, Ty-croes
Plougras (22); Pont-Croix (29); Le Crouais (35); Le Croisty, Croixanvec (56)
Crug
B: c/krug; OC/C : cruc/creeg ; OI : cruach ; W : crug, ‘mound’, ‘tumulus’, ‘barrow’.
Crugsillick, Crigmurrian
Bryn-crug, Crug-Hywel, Crug-y-bar, Crug-moch
Cruguel (56)
Dar/tarzh
B: tarzh, ‘spring’, ‘well’, ‘bubbling/noisy water’ [W: dar/tardden].

Aberdaron, Aberdâr
Trédarzec
Dau/dou
B: daou, ‘two’ [W: dau]
Duloe
Dulais, Y Glais, Aberdauddwr
Douarnenez, Plougastel-Daoulas (29) ; Dourdain (35)
Din
B/C: din/dun, ‘hill-fort’ [G: dunon; W: dinas; OI: dun] and B suffix: -an.
Castle an Dinas
Dinas, Dinas Mawddwy
Dinan, Dinard
Dol
OB: dôl, ‘river meadow’, ‘meander’ [C/W: dol].
Godolphin
Dol-y-bont, Dolbenmaen, Dolwen
Dolo (22); Dol-de-Bretagne (35)

Drein/draenen
OB: drein/draenen, ‘thorn (bushes)’ [W: draenen/drain; OC: drein].
Draynes
Bryndreiniog, Draenen Pen-y-graig, Ffynnon-ddrain
Rostrenen (22); Le Drennec (29)
Drez/drys
OB/B: drez, ‘brambles’ [OC/C: dreis/z; W: drys]. 
Tredrizzick, Poltrease
Dryslwyn
Trédrez (22)
Escob/escop
B: eskob/eskobien, ‘bishop/s’ [W: esgob; C: escop].
Huish Episcopi (Somerset)
Plas-yr-Esgob, Gwern Escob
Esquibien (29); Plescop (56)
Ethin/eithin
B: ethin/ethinoc, ‘gorse’ [W: eithin/eithinog].

Twyn Eithinog, Bryn Eithinog
Plouhinec (29); Plouhinec (56)
Faou/(f)faw
B: faou, ‘beech trees’ [C: faw; W: ffaw/ffawydd].
Fowey
Ffawydden, Ffawyddog
Faouët, Le (22)
Forn/ffwrn
OB: forn, ‘kiln’, ‘forge’ [W: ffwrn; C: vorn].
Park-an-Vorn
Craig Ffwrnais
Plouvorn (29); Kerfourn (56)
Guern/gwern
B: guern, ‘alder’ [W: gwern; C: guern]
Penwarne
Cilgwern, Pengwern
Vern-sur-Seiche (35) ; Guern, Le Guerno (56)
Hanveg/hafod
OB/B: hamuc/hanveg ‘summer residence’, ‘summer fallow’ [OW/W:hamod/hafod/hafoty; C: havar].
Halvosso/Hayfossou
Nant-yr-Hafod, Hafod-dywyll, Hafoty
Hanvec (29); Croixanvec (56)
Hen
B: hen, ‘old’, ‘former’, ‘ancient’ [W: hen; C: hen]
Hendra
Henllan, Brynhenllan
Hénansal (22); Henvic (29)
Hen + Coet
B: hen, ‘old’, ‘former’, ‘ancient’ [W: hen; C: hen] and OB: coët, ‘wood/forest’ [OC: cuit; W: coed; B: koad].

Hengoed
Hengoat
Heli/hili/hayl
OB/B: heli/hili(on), ‘salting(s)’, ‘salt-water’, ‘brine’ [W: heli; C: hely/hayl].
Porthilly, Hayle
Pwllheli, Y Felinheli, Rhossili
Hillion (22)
Hirel/hirael
B: hir, ‘long’ [W: hir; C: heer/hir/hyr] and W: ael, ‘top’, ‘summit’, ‘edge’, ‘ridge’.

Hirael
Pléherel/Fréhel (22); Hirel (35)
If/yw
B: ivinen/ivin, 'yew/yews' [F: if ; W: ywen/yw; G: eburo/ivos]
Llangernyw

Yffiniac, Yvignac-La-Tour
Iuch/iwrch
B: iurgch, ‘roe(buck)’ [C: iorgh/ yorth; W: iwrch].
Carnyorth
Nantiwrch, Pwlliwrch
Le Juch (29)
Glas/glaze
B: glas, ‘grey/green/blue’ [W: glas; C: glaze].
Canaglaze, Glasney
Derwen Las, Knucklas, Bryn Glas
Bolazec, Kerlaz (29)
Killi/celli
OB: killi, ‘grove/copse [W: celli; OC/C: kelli/killi]. 
Killigrew, Killiow, Killivose, Pengelly
Pencelli, Y Gelli
Le Quillio, Penguily (22); Quily (56)
L(a)uen/lowen
OB/MB louun/l(a)ouen, ‘happy’, ‘joyful’[B: levenez, OC/C: louen/lowen; W:lleuen/llawen]
Bellowall [Bolowan/Boslowen], Burlawne [Bodlouen], Trelawne [Trelouen]
Bodlawen
Poullaouen, Tréflévenez (29); Merlévenez (56)
Lean/lleian
OB: lann, ‘monastery’, ‘hermitage’ and OB: lean(où), ‘nun(s)’ [W: lleian].

Llanlleiana, Llan Lleian-wen
Lannéanou
Lech/legh/llech
OB/B: leh, legh, lec’h, slab/stone/rock’ [OC/C: lech/legh/leh; W: llech].
Bosleigh, Tre-leigh/legh, Tre-league/leh
Benllech, Harlech, Llechylched, Llechfaen, Trelech
Ploulec’h (22)
Maen/faen
B: maen, ‘stone’ [W: maen/main; OC/C: maen/men].
Tremayne, Tremenheere

Dolbenmaen, Llysfaen, Llechfaen,  Pont-faen, Rhyd-y-main
Lanfains, Tramain (22); Bonnemain (35)

Magoer/magwyr
OB/B: macoer/moger ‘(dry) stone wall/ruin’ [W: magwyr; L: maceria, ‘masonry walls’ or ‘ruins’].

Magor
Magoar, Ploumagoar (22); Ploumoguer (29);
Marc’h/marth
B: marc’h, ‘horse’ [W: march; C: marth].

Penmarth, Polmarth
Penmarc’h (29)
Mellion/meillion
W: meillion, ‘clover’ [B: melchen/melchon; C: mellyon/mellian]
Mellionnec, Rosemullion Head
Cwm Meillionen, Maes-meillion
Mellionec
Merzher/merthyr
B: merzher, ‘saint’s grave’ or ‘burial place’ [W: merthyr; C: merther].
Merther, Mertheruny
Merthyr Tudful, Merthyr Cynog
Le Merzer
Moch/mogh
B: moch, ‘pigs’ [W: moch; C: mogh]

Mochdre, Crug-moch
Motreff (29); Mohon (56)
Moroc’h/morah
B: morhoc’h/morhouch, ‘dolphin’, ‘dauphin’, ‘prince’ [F: dauphin; W: morwch, môr-hwch; C: morhoch/morah].
The Morah

Kermoroc’h (22)
Nant
B: ant/nant, ‘valley’, ‘brook’ [W/OC: nant].
Trenant
Glanynant, Nant-y-moel
Henansal (22); Fouesnant (29); Nantes (Loire-Atlantique)
(o)scal/ysgall
OB: scal/oscalloc ‘thistle’/ ‘place of thistles’ [W: ysgallog].

Pantysgallog, Dolysgallog

Aucaleuc, Plusquellec (22)
Pen + celli/gelli
OB: penn [OC: pen/pedn; W: pen], ‘head’, ‘end’ or ‘top’ and OB: killi, grove’, ‘copse’ [W: celli; OC: kelli]. 
Pengelly
Pencelli
Penguily
Penpol
OB: penn, ‘head’, ‘end’ or ‘top’ [OC: pen/pedn; W: pen] and B: poull, ‘cove’, ‘creek’, ‘bay’ [W: pwll; OC: pol].
Penpol
Pen Pwll
Paimpont (22)
Pen + rhos/ros
OB: penn, ‘head’ [OC: pen/pedn; W: pen], B: ros/roz [W: rhos; OC: ros], ‘promontory’, ‘coastal slope
Penrose
Penrhos
Perros-Guirec
Poull/pwll
B: poull, ‘pool’, ‘pit’, ‘cove’, ‘creek’ [W : pwll ; OC : pol]
Paul; Poole (Dorset)
Pwllheli
Paule
Prad/praze
OB/B: prad/praze, meadow [C: pras/praze]. 
Praze

Prat (22)
Reden
B: reden, ‘fern’, ‘bracken’ [W: rhedyn; C: reden].

Rhedyn-coch, Brynrhedyn
Rédené (29); Rannée (35); Radenac (56)
Rin(n)/r(h)yn
B: rinn, ‘spur’, ‘ridge’, ‘point’ [W: rhyn; C: ryn].
Penryn
Penrhyncoch
Plourin (29)
Rit/rhyd
B: red/ret, 'ford' [W: rhyd; OC: rit]
Penrith (Cumbria), Redruth
Penrhyd, Rhydlydan, Pont-rhyd-y-fen
Perret (22); Plouray, Rieux (56);
Riw/rivou
B: riw/rivou, ‘slope/s’ [W: rhiw; C: riw].
Trefrew

Rhiwlas, Plas yn Rhiw, Y Rhiw, Troed-y-Rhiw
Plourivo (22); Le Rheu, Rimou (35);
Rod/rhod
B: rod/rot, ‘circle, ‘wheel’, ‘the sun’ [W: rhod; C: rôs].

Rhod Isaf, Rhodmad
Lanrodec (22); Irodouër (35); Roudouallec (56);
Ros
B: ros/roz [W : rhos; OC : ros], ‘promontory’, ‘coastal slope’ 
Roskennals, Penrose
Penrhos, Rhosgadfan
Perros-Guirec, Rostrenen (22); Roscanvel, Roscoff (29)
Saeson, sauzon
B: saozneg, ‘Saxon’ [W: sacson, saesneg, saeson]

Coswinsawsin, Tresowes
Nant-y-saeson, Rhiw-saeson
Sauzon (56)
Sarn/sorn
B: sorn/sarn, ‘causeway, ‘stepping stone’, ‘(paved) road’ [W: sarn].

Pensarn, Tal-y-sarn, Sarnau, Sarn
Le Sourn (56)
Scaw/scaw
OB: skaw/ieg, ‘(place with) elder trees’ [W : ysgeifiog; C : scaw/en]. 
Boscawen; Tresco/Trescau (Scilly Is.)

Ysgeifiog, Llanfihangel Ysgeifiog

Squiffiec
Tourch
B: tourc'h, ‘boar’ [C: torgh; W: twrch].

Twrch Vechan, Blaen-Twrch
Tourch (29)
Tre + brith
OB/B: tre/treb/trev, ‘hamlet’ or ’settlement’ and C/B/W: brith, brec’h, brych, ‘mottled’, ‘a hilly place’. 
Trebrith
Brithdir, Cefnbrith
Trébry (22)
Tre + castell
OB/B: tre/treb/trev, ‘hamlet’ or ’settlement’ and OB: castell, ‘castle’ [W/C: castell]. 

Trecastell
Trégastel (22)
Tre + crom
OB/B: tre/treb/trev, ‘hamlet’ or ’settlement’ and OB/B: crom/kromm, ‘curved’, ‘crooked’ [W: crwm/crym; C: crom]. 
Trecrom

Trégrom (22)
Tre + Maen
OB/B: tre/treb/trev, ‘hamlet’ or ’settlement’ and B: maen, ‘stone’ [W: maen/main; OC/C: maen/men]. 
Tremaine
Tremain 
Tramain
tre/treb/trev, ‘hamlet’ or ’settlement’ and B: meur, ‘great’, ‘large’ [C: maur; W: mawr]. 
Tremawr

Trémeur (22); Trimer (35)
Tricorii
L: pagus tricurius, ‘land of the three battalions’.
Trigg, Tregor

Trégor, Tréguier (22); Trégourez (29)
Uhel/uchel
B: uhel, ‘high’ [W: uchel]

Bonuchel, Gelli-Bonuchel
Uzel, Canihuel, Gurunhuel (22); Huelgoat (29)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What really links place names in Brittany, Cornwall and Wales (apart from a few hundred Celtic saints)?

Place Name Elements in Breton, Welsh and Cornish (with examples and English gloss) BRETON CORNISH WELSH ENGLISH EXAMPLES C=Cornwall; W= Wales aut , alt, aod alt, als, aulz allt hill, slope, cliff Duault (22), Nansalsa (C), Allt-golau (W) ael ael ael summit, brow, ridge Hirael (35), Aelbryn (W) aval aval, avallen afal, afallen apple Availles-sur-Seiche (35), Rosevallen (C), Dolafallen (W) aon, aven auon, awan afon river Pont-Aven (29); Arrowan (C), Aberavon (W) arcae - argae dam, embankment Erquy (22), Argae Alwen (W) ard, art, arz are, ard, arth ardd hill, elevation Arzon (56); Trenarth (C), Pennard (W) arz, arzh art, arth arth bear Île-d'Arz (56), Carn Arthen (C), Aber-arth (W) ascorn - asgwrn, esgyrn bone/s Coatascorn (

Why all the Ermine?

The ermine ( Mustela erminea ) a.k.a. stoat or short-tailed weasel  is the national emblem of Brittany. Its much sought after white winter coat was used for the cloaks, crowns and caps of the aristocracy. Ermine The eleven 'ermine spots' which form the pattern in the top left corner of the Breton flag represent the way the black-tipped tails were hung on the white fur.  This heraldic ermine canton was a feature of the arms of the Dukes of Brittany.  Breton flag with ermine canton The story goes that Anne de Bretagne,  the last independent Breton ruler and the wife of two successive French kings,   saw a group of hunters chasing after an ermine. When the ermine reached the edge of a muddy lake the ermine decided to stand up to his attackers rather than risk soiling his beautiful white fur.  ANNE DE BRETAGNE Anne, it appears, was so impressed that she saved the ermine and adopted it as the emblem of her dynasty along with the motto: Plutôt la mort que la

The legend of Saint Gwen of Brittany and Dorset

The church of Whitchurch-Canonicorum in Dorset is dedicated to Saint-Candida (a.k.a Saint-Wite). Below the east window there is an altar tomb with  three openings which allowed devotees to reach inside the shrine in the hope of a miraculous cure for whatever ailed them.  On the top of this there used to be a 14th century coffin built into a slab of local marble. When the local vicar opened it in 1848 he found a stone box. Inside the stone box he discovered a Saint's relics.  When the coffin was examined again in 1899 another vicar found teeth, a lot of  bones resembling those of small, forty year old woman and an inscription: Here lie the relics of Saint Wite What was even more extrordinary about this find was that all relics such as these had been destroyed during the Protestant Reformation. The only other collection of saint's remains still extant were those of St Edward the Confessor in Westminster Abbey. Perhaps this shrine looked more like a tomb then a