Etymology Of British Place-names

Source: Bartholomew's Gazetteer of the British Isle date c 1900

THE following Glossary contains the principal components of the place-names in the British Isles, and with its aid the derivation of many names may be ascertained, and something may be learned of the physical condition of various localities in early times. In the Highlands of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, where the names are almost all Gaelic (Cymric), and in the Lake District where Norse names predominate, less doubt need be felt as to the correctness of the interpretations than in parts of England and Scotland where Celts, Romans, Scandinavians, Anglo-Saxons, and Normans have all had a share in forming the present nomenclature. Many names have been changed to such an extent that their original form is no longer recognisable, as is shown by the examples, and some words of different origin and meaning have become identical in form. In such cases the true derivation of a name can frequently be ascertained only by finding its earlier forms in old records. When the name appears to contain the epellation of some permanent natural object, such as a hill or any part of it, a river, or ford, mistakes may often be avoided by seeing whether such an object occurs on the map in the neighbourhood of the place.

ABBREVIATIONS-A.N., Anglo-Norman; A.S., Anglo-Saxon; C.S., Celto-Saxon; Scand., Scandinavian.

NOTE.-The initial consonant of a Welsh word often changes in composition. Thus Pont becomes Bont in Pen-y-Bont, Cor becomes Gor in Bangor, and Cader Cader in Pen-y-Gader. Gaelic words are subject to similar changes.

Ab, Abb (Latin, from Abbas). Ballinab, Milnab.
Aber (Cymric), a confluence, or the mouth of a river; e.g. Aberford, Berwick, Barmouth.
Abh, Abhain, Amhuinn (Celtic), water. Avonmore, Awn, Owenbeg, Owvane, Aubwee, Almond, Evan.
Abhall (Celtic), an apple. Aghyowle, Ballyhooly, Balnowlart ; sometimes an orchard Avabreagh.
Ach, agh, loch, nach, rach, tach, trach, Beach, Gaelic suffixes denoting " full of," " abounding in."
Achadh (Gaelic), a field. Ardagb, Aghadoe, Awhirk, Auchinleck, Affleck.
Acker (Old Norse), open country, untitled land.
Aebhinn (Gaelic), delightful. Rathevin, Drumeevin.
AcRach (Gaelic), an assembly, a cattle fair. Enagh, Nenagh, Ballineanig, Eantybeg.
Aik (Scotch), oak.
Ail, Fail (Old Gaelic) a rock. Allagower, Alleen, Alloa.
Aillse (Gaelic), fairy, elf. Ailsa Craig.
Alrldh, Airle (Gaelic), a shealing, or mountain pasture. Airieglassan.
Airne (Erse), sloe. Killarney, Magherarny.
Alt (Gaelic), a house site. Attidermot Attivally Aith.
Alainn, Aluinn, Allan (Gaelic), bright, beautiful. Moyallan allan, Derraulin.
All (Gaelic), white; Al-non, white water. Latinised into alanna. Hence Ain, Alan, Ellen, Lune.
Allt, Aid, Auld, Ault (Gaelic), a stream. Garvald, Altaggart Burn, Old Water of Cluden.
Alltan (Gaelic), a little stream, brook.
Alt (Erse), Allt (Welsh), a height, cliff: Altavilla, Tonanilt, Builth.
An (Gaelic), contracted form of Abhulnn, q.v.
An (Gaelic), the. Gen., na; plur., non.
An, een, og, oc, net, can, diminutive suffixes. Lickny, Killasnet, Briancan, Lochan.
Ar (Gaelic), slow; Arw (Celtic), violent. Thus Aire, Arre, Arrow, &c., are derived from these roots.
Aran (Celtic), an alp.
Arbhar (Celtic), corn. Knockanarroor, Clonarrow.
Ard (Celtic), high, a height. Ardmore, Armagh, Airdrie, Ardrossan.
Ara, Erik (Teutonic), place, dwelling, house. Am, Chiltern, Whithorn.
Aros (Gaelic), a house, dwelling, abode. Arisaig.
Asc Askr (Old Norse), an ash. Ascaig Ascog
Ath (Gaelic), a ford. Athnagar, Aghanlugha, Athole.
Atta (Gaelic), from fads, long
Auchter (Gaelic), from uachdar, q.v., the summit, upper.
Auchterarder. Other form : Ochter.
Ault (Gaelic). Another form of Allt, q .v.
Avon (Celtic), a river. Spelt afon in Welsh. Otherforms: Evan, Ive, Anne, Inney, &c. See ABH.
Ay (Scandinavian), an island. See A.
Ayr (Norse), from eyrr, the beach.