Celtic place-names in Galicia
Encyclopedia
The Celtic toponymy
of Galicia is the whole of the ancient or modern place, river, or mountain names
which were originated inside a Celtic language, and thus have Celtic etymology
, and which are or were located inside the limits of modern Galicia.
, Pliny the Elder
, Ptolemy
...), or in epigraphic Roman inscriptions, have been found to be Celtic, being the other half mostly Indo-European but either arguably non Celtic, or lacking a solid Celtic etymology.
Here is a non exhaustive list of toponyms which have been found to be, probably, Celtic. The most characteristic element is -bri(s), from Proto-Celtic *brigs, with its derivative *brigā, both meaning 'hill', and thence 'hillfort' and 'town'. The only type of settlement known in Galicia during the Iron Age are forts and fortified towns
built in hills and peninsulas. Many of them were abandoned after the Roman conquest.
settled in northern Galicia, and their bishops-abbots attended several councils, first of the Suebic Kingdom of Galicia
, and later of the Visigoths in Toledo, until the 8th century. A series of place-names have been attributed to them:
It also existed a village called Bretonos near the city of Lugo
, in the Middle Ages.
region around A Coruña
, and in the valley of the Ulla river.
hillforts. Many of these parishes preserve old pre-Latin names.
and Welsh
languages bre 'hill'. Some of these toponyms are:
Similar meaning can be attributed to Ombre (Anovre in 1114), a parish in Pontedeume
; Ombre (Anobre in 971), a village in O Pino
; and Ombre, another three more villages in Culleredo
, Miño
and Brion
.
and Pontevedra
provinces and all along the valley of the Ulla river. Among them:
Celtic toponymy
Celtic toponymy is the study of place names wholly or partially of Celtic origin. These names are found throughout continental Europe, the British Isles, Asia Minor and latterly through various other parts of the globe not originally occupied by Celts....
of Galicia is the whole of the ancient or modern place, river, or mountain names
Toponymy
Toponymy is the scientific study of place names , their origins, meanings, use and typology. The word "toponymy" is derived from the Greek words tópos and ónoma . Toponymy is itself a branch of onomastics, the study of names of all kinds...
which were originated inside a Celtic language, and thus have Celtic etymology
Etymology
Etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time.For languages with a long written history, etymologists make use of texts in these languages and texts about the languages to gather knowledge about how words were used during...
, and which are or were located inside the limits of modern Galicia.
Ancient Celtic toponyms
In Galicia, approximately half of the non Latin toponyms transmitted from antiquity in the works of classical geographers and authors (Pomponius MelaPomponius Mela
Pomponius Mela, who wrote around AD 43, was the earliest Roman geographer. He was born in Tingentera and died c. AD 45.His short work occupies less than one hundred pages of ordinary print. It is laconic in style and deficient in method, but of pure Latinity, and occasionally relieved by pleasing...
, Pliny the Elder
Pliny the Elder
Gaius Plinius Secundus , better known as Pliny the Elder, was a Roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher, as well as naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and personal friend of the emperor Vespasian...
, Ptolemy
Ptolemy
Claudius Ptolemy , was a Roman citizen of Egypt who wrote in Greek. He was a mathematician, astronomer, geographer, astrologer, and poet of a single epigram in the Greek Anthology. He lived in Egypt under Roman rule, and is believed to have been born in the town of Ptolemais Hermiou in the...
...), or in epigraphic Roman inscriptions, have been found to be Celtic, being the other half mostly Indo-European but either arguably non Celtic, or lacking a solid Celtic etymology.
Here is a non exhaustive list of toponyms which have been found to be, probably, Celtic. The most characteristic element is -bri(s), from Proto-Celtic *brigs, with its derivative *brigā, both meaning 'hill', and thence 'hillfort' and 'town'. The only type of settlement known in Galicia during the Iron Age are forts and fortified towns
Castro culture
Castro culture is the archaeological term for naming the Celtic archaeological culture of the northwestern regions of the Iberian Peninsula from the end of the Bronze Age until it was subsumed in local Roman culture...
built in hills and peninsulas. Many of them were abandoned after the Roman conquest.
- Aediobri: From a votive inscription to the god BANDVE AEDIOBRICO. To *aydu- 'fire' or *(p)ētu- '(grass)land, territory', and *brixs 'hill(fort)'. Cf. Irish brí 'hill', and the people of the Aedui in Gaul.
- Asseconia or Assegonion: A town. Maybe to *Ad-sego- 'The very strong one'.
- Aviliobris: Castle (hillfort) in NW Galicia. To *Awelyobrixs 'Windy Hill'. Cf. Breton awel 'wind'.
- Adrobricam urbem: City of the Artabri. To *brig- 'hill(fort)'.
- Albiones: A people living in between the rivers NaviaNavia (river)The Navia is a river in northern Spain flowing from Galicia intothe Autonomous Community of Asturias....
and Eo. To *albiyo- '(upper) world' or 'country'. - Arrotrebae: A people living by the seashore, in NW Galicia. To *trebā 'settlement', and *aryo-, either 'free man' or a derivative of *(p)are- 'in front of'.
- Aunios: An island on the Atlantic ocean, modern OnsONSONS may stand for:* ONS coding system* The Ons Island in Galicia, Spain.* Oberste Nationale Sportbehörde, former German motor racing governing body, now Deutscher Motor Sport Bund * Object Naming Service* Office for NATO Standardization...
. To Celtic *auni-, of unclear meaning and etymology. HydatiusHydatiusHydatius or Idacius , bishop of Aquae Flaviae in the Roman province of Gallaecia was the author of a chronicle of his own times that provides us with our best evidence for the history of the Iberian Peninsula in the 5th century.-Life:Hydatius was born around the year 400 in the...
mentions a local people called Aunonenses, confronted with the Suevi newcomers in the 5th century. - Berisamo: A hillfort of the Cileni. Probably to the superlative *Bergisamo- 'The highest one'.
- Beriso: A hillfort of the Cabarci, probably to the comparative *Bergiso- 'The higher one'.
- Bonisana: A town. To *bonu- 'foundation, base, butt'. Cf. Old Iris bun 'foundation, base, estuary'.
- Brevis: A town. To *brīwā 'bridge'.
- Brigantia: Ancient city, most probably modern A CoruñaA CoruñaA Coruña or La Coruña is a city and municipality of Galicia, Spain. It is the second-largest city in the autonomous community and seventeenth overall in the country...
(Faro Bregancio in 971 CE). From *brigant- 'relevant, powerfull'. - Callaecia 'The land of the Callaeci', to *kallā- 'wood' with a local complex suffix -āik-. Later it became Gallicia, modern Galicia or Galiza.
- Calubriga: A hillfort. To *brigā 'hill(fort)', and a first element of unclear meaning.
- Cambetum: A town. To *kambo- 'crooked, twisted'.
- Canibri: A town. To *kani- 'good, nice' and *brigs 'hill(fort)'. Cf. Old Irish cain 'good, nice'.
- Celtici: Either a descriptive name applied by classical geographers to a group of peoples living in Western Galicia, or a Celtic endonym based on the *kelt- theme also present in a series of Hispano-Celtic names: CELTIATUS, CELTIATIS, ARCELTI, CONCELTI, CELTIUS.
- Cistonia: A town. To *kistā- 'woven basket', and eventually 'chariot'.
- Coelerni: A people living in southern Galicia. To *koyl- 'thin (naked, bold)'. Cf. Old Irish cóil 'meagre, lean'.
- Coeliobriga: An oppidum near CelanovaCelanovaCelanova is a village and municipality located in the province of Orense, Galicia, Northern Spain. Situated near the border with Portugal, the village is bordered by Ramirás, Cartelle, A Merca, A Bola, Verea and Quintela de Leirado....
, most probably the capital of the Coelerni. To *koyl- and *brigā. - Copori: A people dwelling in central Galicia, from the confluence of the Sar and Ulla rivers in the west, until LugoLugoLugo is a city in northwestern Spain, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It is the capital of the province of Lugo. The municipality had a population of 97,635 in 2010, which makes is the fourth most populated city in Galicia.-Population:...
in the east. Their name is probably non-Celtic, but note the Pictish *copor- 'confluence', maybe to *kom-bero- 'confluence' (or 'bring together'). - Ebora: Harbour, by the mouth of the TambreTambreTambre is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 80 km north of Venice and about 15 km east of Belluno...
river. To *eburo- 'yew'. - Ebronanto (Valerio of BierzoValerio of BierzoValerio of Bierzo was an ascetic hermit and monk from the Bierzo region of Visigothic Spain. A number of his writings still survive, including three short autobiographical works in which he complains about his many sufferings.-Life:Valerio was a member of the Visigothic aristocracy...
, Ordo Cerimonialis, c. 650). A state near moder RubiáRubiáaRubiá is a municipality in the Spanish province of Ourense. It has a population of 1734 and an area of 101 km²....
. To *Eburo-nantu 'Yew-Valley'. - Equasei: A people living in southern Galicia. To *ekʷo- 'horse'. Cf. Old Irish ech 'horse'.
- Ercoriobri: A hillfort of the Albiones. To *(p)are-koro- 'blow, shot' and *brixs 'hill / hillfort'. Cf. Old Breton ercor 'blow, stroke'.
- Gigurri: A people living in actual ValdeorrasValdeorrasValdeorras is a comarca in the Galician Province of Ourense. The overall population of this local region is 28,984 .-Municipalities:*O Barco de Valdeorras, capital of the comarca*O Bolo*Carballeda de Valdeorras*Larouco* Petín* A Rúa* Rubiá...
. From *Gigur-yo, maybe 'the gander (people)'. Cf. Old Irish gigrann 'gander'. - Glandomirum: To *glendos- 'valley, shore'.
- Iria: modern PadrónPadrónPadrón is a concello in the Province of A Coruña, in Galicia within the comarca of O Sar. It covers an area of 48.4 km², is 95 km from A Coruña and, , had a population of 8968 according to the INE....
. Maybe to *(p)īweryā- 'Fertile land'. - Laniobriga: Probable ancient name of the hillfort of San Cibrao de Lás, San AmaroSan AmaroSan Amaro is a municipality in Ourense in the Galicia region of north-west Spain. Its name refers to Saint Amaro....
, although the lecture of the inscription which contains this toponym is disputed. To *(p)lānyobrigā 'Hillfort of the Plain'. - Laniobre: Bishopric during the 7th century. To *(p)lānyobrixs.
- Lemavi: A people inhabiting the valley of LemosMonforte de LemosMonforte de Lemos is a city and municipality in northwestern Spain, in the province of Lugo, Galicia. It covers an area of 200 km² and lies 62 km from Lugo. As of 2005 it had a population of 19,472. It is located in a valley between the shores of Sil River and Miño River, in the area...
. To *Lēmawoi ‘The Elm people’, to *lēmo- 'elm'. - Limia: River, modern or , near to its sources it became a large lagoon or marshy area, today desiccated. To *līmā- 'flood'. Cf. Welsh llif idem.
- Lubri: Hillfort of the Celtici. The first element, *lū-, can be a evolution of *luw- 'to set free, escape', or of *low- 'to flow', among other possibilities. Maybe Lubri 'The Free Hillfort'.
- Medullium: Mountain by the Miño river, near the Ocean, where a very large number of opposing Gallaecians would had been besieged by the Romans, the former giving themselves death when the situation became desperate. To *med-o- 'judge', *med-yo- 'middle' or *medu- 'mead'. Cf. place-names Medulli, Medullis, Medulla, in Gaul.
- Minius: Largest river in Galicia, modern or . To *mīno- 'tender, soft', cf. Old Irish mín idem.
- Miobri: Hillfort of the Celtici. Probably to *Meyobrixs 'Minor Hill(fort)'. A dedication to COSO MEOBRIGO (*Meyobri-ko) may also refer to this castle, or to another one under the same name.
- Morodon: A town by the ocean. To *mor- 'sea' and *dūno- 'fort'. Cf. the British toponym Moridunum.
- NaviaNavia (river)The Navia is a river in northern Spain flowing from Galicia intothe Autonomous Community of Asturias....
: River, still known under the same name today. To *nāwiā- 'boat (vase, bowl)'. - Nemetobriga: Probably the capital of the Tiburi, in SE Galicia. To *nemeto- 'sanctuary' and *brigā 'hill(fort)'.
- Nerii: A Celtici tribe dwelling near or around today's FisterraFisterraFisterra , in Spanish usually Finisterre, is a municipality in the province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain. Fisterra is on Cape Finisterre, the final destination for many pilgrims on the Way of St. James....
. To *nero- 'hero'. - Novium: A town sometimes considered to be actual NoiaNoiaNoia is a town and municipality in Galicia, Spain. It has a population of 14,947 inhabitants , being situated in the Province of A Coruña, some 20 miles west of Santiago de Compostela near the mouth of the Tambre river....
. To *nowyo- 'new'. - Ocelum: A town, near LugoLugoLugo is a city in northwestern Spain, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It is the capital of the province of Lugo. The municipality had a population of 97,635 in 2010, which makes is the fourth most populated city in Galicia.-Population:...
. To *ok-elo- 'promontory'. - Olca: A castle by RodeiroRodeiroRodeiro is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra....
, in the highlands of middle Galicia. To *(p)olkā 'arable lands'. - Olina: A town. To *olīnā- 'elbow, angle'.
- Querquerni: A people living in southern Galicia. To Indo-European *perkʷos 'oak', with Celtic assimilation.
- Seurri: A people living in both banks of the middle curse of the Miño river. To *seg-ur-yo-, 'the powerful ones'.
- Talabriga: Castle of the Limici. To *talu- 'front, forehead, protuberance, shield' and *brigā 'hill(fort)'.
- Tamaris: River, modern TambreTambre (river)The Tambre River is a coastal river that crosses Galicia, in northwestern Spain. Its basin comprehends a total area of 1.531 km².The river flows through the province of A Coruña; the municipalities along its course are Sobrado, Curtis, Vilasantar, Boimorto, Mesía, Frades, Arzúa, O Pino, Oroso,...
. To *tamo- 'dark'. - Trileukon: A promontory, modern Punta dos Aguillóns or Cabo Ortegal. To *trīs- 'three' or 'very', and *louko- 'bright, shinning'.
- Verubri: Name of a castle, as deduced of a dedication to the god BANDUE VERUBRIGO (*Weru-bri-ko or *U(p)ero-bri-ko). To *weru- 'broad' or *u(p)er- 'superior', and *brixs 'hill(fort)'.
- Vindius: The Cantabrian MountainsCantabrian MountainsThe Cantabrian Mountains or Cantabrian Range are one of the main systems of mountain ranges in Spain.They extend for more than approximately 180 miles across northern Spain, from the western limit of the Pyrenees to the edges of the Galician Massif close to Galicia, along the coast of the...
, a mountain range, usually more than 2000 meters high, running from Galicia till CantabriaCantabriaCantabria is a Spanish historical region and autonomous community with Santander as its capital city. It is bordered on the east by the Basque Autonomous Community , on the south by Castile and León , on the west by the Principality of Asturias, and on the north by the Cantabrian Sea.Cantabria...
. To *windo- 'white', so 'The White (mountains)'.
Britonia
In the 5th or 6th centuries a colony of BritonsBritons (historical)
The Britons were the Celtic people culturally dominating Great Britain from the Iron Age through the Early Middle Ages. They spoke the Insular Celtic language known as British or Brythonic...
settled in northern Galicia, and their bishops-abbots attended several councils, first of the Suebic Kingdom of Galicia
Suebic Kingdom of Galicia
The Suebic Kingdom of Galicia was the first independent barbarian Christian kingdom of Western Europe and the first to separate from the Roman Empire, as well as the first one to mint coins. Based in Gallaecia, it was established in 410 and lasted as independent state until 584, after a century of...
, and later of the Visigoths in Toledo, until the 8th century. A series of place-names have been attributed to them:
- A Bertonía: A hamlet in SoberSober, LugoSober, is a municipality in the Spanish province of Lugo....
. - Bertoña: A village in A Capela. It was the centre of a region called Britonia up until the 11th century, comprising the modern municipalities of A Capela and MoecheMoecheMoeche is a municipality in the province of A Coruña, Galicia, north-western Spain. It is home to a 14th century castle, in the parish of San Xurxo. It has a square plan, with a 18 m-tall keep....
. Several other places were called Britonia in the neighbourhood. - Bretoña: A village in BarroBarroBarro is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra....
. - Bretoña: A parish and a town in A PastorizaA PastorizaA Pastoriza is a municipality in the Spanish province of Lugo. It has a population of 3911 and an area of 175 km²....
. It is usually considered the heir to the ancient capital of the Britons of Galicia.
It also existed a village called Bretonos near the city of Lugo
Lugo
Lugo is a city in northwestern Spain, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It is the capital of the province of Lugo. The municipality had a population of 97,635 in 2010, which makes is the fourth most populated city in Galicia.-Population:...
, in the Middle Ages.
Modern and medieval toponyms
While there are Celtic toponyms all over Galicia, most Celtic and pre-Latin toponyms can be found along the coastal areas, most notably in the Rías AltasRias Altas
Rías Altas is the northernmost of three sections of A Costa do Marisco in Galicia, Spain. It extends from the port of Ribadeo to Santa Cruz....
region around A Coruña
A Coruña
A Coruña or La Coruña is a city and municipality of Galicia, Spain. It is the second-largest city in the autonomous community and seventeenth overall in the country...
, and in the valley of the Ulla river.
Regions, Mountains and Islands
Some Galician regions - usually called 'comarcas' when spanning over several municipalities, or concellos (councils) otherwise - maintain names either directly inherited from pre-Roman tribal and sub-tribal names, or simply with pre-Roman origin:- Arousa (Arauza, 899 CE): Island and municipality in Arousa bay, PontevedraPontevedraPontevedra is a city in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula. It is the capital of both the comarca and province of Pontevedra, in Galicia . It is also the capital of its own municipality which is, in fact, often considered as an extension of the actual city...
. Probably Celtic, to *(p)are-auso- 'cheek'. - BergantiñosBergantiñosBergantiños is a comarca in the Galician Province of A Coruña. The overall population of this local region is 70,698 .-Municipalities:Cabana de Bergantiños, Carballo, Coristanco, A Laracha, Laxe, Malpica de Bergantiños and Ponteceso....
(Bregantinos, 924): Region, to *brigantīno- 'king', or to *brigantigno-, both etymons would have yielded the same result. Cf. Middle Welsh brenhin 'king'. - CarnotaCarnotaCarnota is a municipality of Spain in the province of A Coruña, autonomous community of Galicia. It has an area of 66.4 km², a population of 5285 and a population density of 79.59 people/km² It is famous because of its majestic hórreo, granary, the largest one in the world. It has a barrocan...
(Carnota, 915 CE): Coastal council and ancient territory, it is presided by the Monte do Pindo, an anciently sacred granite mountain. It was also the name of a mountain near Doroña, VilarmaiorVilarmaiorVilarmaior is a municipality in the province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia, north-western Spain....
. To *karn- 'pile, heap', with a hypocoristic suffix. - Céltigos (Celticos in 569): Region, to the local tribe of the Celtici (plural accusative Celticos), who inhabited the westernmost regions of Galicia. For the *kelt- element, see the article on the names of the CeltsNames of the CeltsThe various names used since classical times for the people known today as the Celts are of disparate origins.The name and is used in Greek and Latin, respectively, as the name of a people of the La Tène horizon in the region of the upper Rhine and Danube during the 6th to 1st centuries BC in...
. With the same origin, and implying further migrations:
- Céltigos, a village, in SarriaSarriaSarria is a municipality in the province of Lugo, northwestern Spain, in the autonomous community of Galicia. Sarria is the most densely populate town on the French Way in Galicia, with 13 700 inhabitants...
. - Céltigos, a parish, in FradesFrades, GaliciaFrades is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
. - Céltigos, a parish, in OrtigueiraOrtigueiraOrtigueira is a seaport and municipality in the Province of A Coruña, Galicia, Spain; it is located on the northern slope of the Serra da Faladoira, the river Mera and on the eastern shore of the Ria de Santa Marta—a winding, rock-bound and much indented inlet of the Bay of Biscay, between Capes...
.- Cervantes: Mountainous country and municipality in eastern Galicia. To *kerbo- 'pointed, sharp'.
- LaroucoLaroucoLarouco is a municipality in Ourense in the Galicia region of north-west Spain....
(Latin Larauco): A 1400 meters high mountain, in BaltarBaltarBaltar is a fictional character in the Battlestar Galactica universe who betrays the human race, through willing treachery in the original 1978 series, and as the inadvertent result of arrogance and self-interest in the 2003 miniseries and following TV series.-Original continuity:In the original...
; also a municipality and a parish by the Sil river; there is also a village under the name Larouce, in O CarballiñoO CarballiñoO Carballiño is a municipality in the Spanish province of Ourense. It has a population of 12521 and an area of 54 km²....
. Probably from *(p)lārHw-ko-, a derivative of 'plain/field'. Cf. Old Irish lár 'ground, surface, middle'. - LemosMonforte de LemosMonforte de Lemos is a city and municipality in northwestern Spain, in the province of Lugo, Galicia. It covers an area of 200 km² and lies 62 km from Lugo. As of 2005 it had a population of 19,472. It is located in a valley between the shores of Sil River and Miño River, in the area...
(Lemabus, 841 CE): A large valley, south of LugoLugoLugo is a city in northwestern Spain, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It is the capital of the province of Lugo. The municipality had a population of 97,635 in 2010, which makes is the fourth most populated city in Galicia.-Population:...
. Its name is an evolution of the name of the LemaviLemaviThe Lemavi were an ancient Gallaecian Celtic tribe, living in the center-east of the modern Galicia, in the Monforte de Lemos's county.-External links:*...
people, who inhabited these lands. To Celtic *lēmo- 'elm'. - NendosNendosNendos or Nemitos was the name of a historic Galician county in northern Galicia. Its existence is documented from the 6th century in the Suebic Kingdom of Galicia, but due to its etymology, -derived from the celtic name Nemeton, there are insidious of its existence in pre-Roman times. Nendos is...
(Nemitos, 842): Region and ancient territory, to Celtic *nemeto- 'sacred place, sanctuary', and 'privileged person'. - Tambo (Tanao, 911): Small island in PontevedraPontevedraPontevedra is a city in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula. It is the capital of both the comarca and province of Pontevedra, in Galicia . It is also the capital of its own municipality which is, in fact, often considered as an extension of the actual city...
bay, to Celtic *tanawos 'thin'. Cf. Breton tanaw, idem.
Rivers
Many Galician rivers preserve old Celtic and pre-Roman Indo-European names, most notably larger ones:- Ambía (Ambia, 949 CE): A tributary to the Arnoia. To Proto-Celtic *ambe- 'river'.
- Chonia: Tributary of the TambreTambreTambre is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 80 km north of Venice and about 15 km east of Belluno...
river. To Proto-Celtic *klowni- 'meadow'. - Deva (Deva, 961 CE): At least two Galician rivers are called Deva, both tributaries to the Minho: the first flows through the municipalities of Arbo and A CañizaA CañizaA Cañiza is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra....
, the second through PontedevaPontedevaPontedeva is a small municipality in Ourense in the Galicia region of north-west Spain. It is located to the very west of the province....
(literally 'Bridge-upon-Deva'). To Celtic *dēwā 'goddess'. There is also a small village called Deva in CervantesCervantes-People:*Alfonso J. Cervantes , mayor of St. Louis, Missouri*Francisco Cervantes de Salazar, 16th-century man of letters*Ignacio Cervantes, Cuban composer*Jorge Cervantes, a world-renowned expert on indoor, outdoor, and greenhouse cannabis cultivation...
. Cf. river Dee, in Britain, ancient Dēva. - Dubra (Dubria, 1110 CE), affluent of the TambreTambreTambre is a comune in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 80 km north of Venice and about 15 km east of Belluno...
. From Proto-Celtic *dubrā- 'dark', which in several Celtic languages developed semantically into the substantive 'water'. The municipality of Val do DubraVal do DubraVal do Dubra is a municipality in the autonomous community of Galicia , in the Province of A Coruña....
('Dubra's Valley') receives its name from this river. - Landro:. River which flows through the town of ViveiroViveiroViveiro is a town and municipality in the province of Lugo, in the northwestern Galician autonomous community of Spain. It borders on the Cantabric Sea, to the west of Xove and to the east of O Vicedo...
into the Bay of BiscayBay of BiscayThe Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean located south of the Celtic Sea. It lies along the western coast of France from Brest south to the Spanish border, and the northern coast of Spain west to Cape Ortegal, and is named in English after the province of Biscay, in the Spanish...
. To *(p)lān- '?River of the plane', or to *land- 'open land (valley)'. - Limia: To Celtic *līmā- 'flood', so probably 'The river of the flooded area'. In the past it formed a large swampy area near its sources.
- Mandeo (Mandeum, 803 CE): Probably to *mandus 'pony'.
- Mendo (Minuete, 964 CE): A river which flows thought BetanzosBetanzosBetanzos is a municipality in Galicia, Spain, in the Province of A Coruña. In Roman times Betanzos was called Carunium or Brigantium. During the Medieval period the settlement was known as Carunio....
into the sea, together with the larger Mandeo. To *menwo- 'small, minute', 'Minor River'. Cf. Irish menb 'idem'. - Miño or Minho: Largest river in Galicia, to *mīno- 'tender, soft'. Cf. Old Irish mín idem.
- Nanton, river, tributary of the Tambre, from Proto-Celtic *nanto- 'stream, valley'. Another different one, the Río das Gandaras also bore the same name in the past (Nantoni, 955 CE).
- NaviaNavia (river)The Navia is a river in northern Spain flowing from Galicia intothe Autonomous Community of Asturias....
: Large river which marked the frontier of Galicia and Asturias during the first centuries of the common era. It flows thought a canyon for much of its course. To *nāwiā- 'boat (vase, bowl)'. Cf Spanish nava 'valley in between mountains'. A tributary of the Sil river, born by the 1700 meters high mountains of Serra de Queixa, is also called Navea. - SamoSamoSamo was a Frankish merchant from the "Senonian country" , probably modern Soignies, Belgium or Sens, France. He was the first ruler of the Slavs whose name is known, and established one of the earliest Slav states, a supra-tribal union usually called Samo's empire, realm, kingdom, or tribal...
: A tributary of the TambreTambre (river)The Tambre River is a coastal river that crosses Galicia, in northwestern Spain. Its basin comprehends a total area of 1.531 km².The river flows through the province of A Coruña; the municipalities along its course are Sobrado, Curtis, Vilasantar, Boimorto, Mesía, Frades, Arzúa, O Pino, Oroso,...
. To Celtic *sāmo- 'calm, easy, pleasant'. Cf. Middle Irish sám 'idem'. - TambreTambre (river)The Tambre River is a coastal river that crosses Galicia, in northwestern Spain. Its basin comprehends a total area of 1.531 km².The river flows through the province of A Coruña; the municipalities along its course are Sobrado, Curtis, Vilasantar, Boimorto, Mesía, Frades, Arzúa, O Pino, Oroso,...
: Ancient Tamaris. To *tamo- 'dark', so 'Dark river'. Cf. the British rivers TamarTamar-Personal name:* Tamar , a female name of Hebrew origin meaning "Date Palm", now popular among various peoples* The original form of Tamara and Tammy* Tamar , a deity in Georgian mythology* Tamar Braxton, an R&B singer and sister of Toni Braxton...
(ancient Tamarus), Thames (Tamesis) and Tamius. Another two Galician rivers bear closely related names (both to *Tam-ikā): Tâmega (Tamice, 982): Tributary of the DouroDouroThe Douro or Duero is one of the major rivers of the Iberian Peninsula, flowing from its source near Duruelo de la Sierra in Soria Province across northern-central Spain and Portugal to its outlet at Porto...
; and Támoga or Támboga (Tamega, 934 CE): Tributary of the Miño. - Rio de Perros (Vernesga, 1078 CE), sub-tributary of the Miño: To *wernes-ikā, to *werno- 'alder, alder-tree'.
Parishes and Villages
Most of the 3794 parishes, small rural districts, of Galicia continue medieval and Roman villas, frequently founded near, or even on top, of old Iron AgeIron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
hillforts. Many of these parishes preserve old pre-Latin names.
Composites containing Celtic *-brig- 'hill'
The most frequent element among the Celtic toponyms of Galicia is *brigs, meaning 'hill, high place', and by extension 'hillfort'. Usually it is the second element in composite toponyms ending in -bre, -be or -ve, being cognate of Irish Gaelic brí 'hill', with the same origin: Proto-Celtic *-brigs > -brixs > -bris. A few toponyms ending in -bra proceed from a derivative -brigā 'hill(fort)', which also originated BretonBreton language
Breton is a Celtic language spoken in Brittany , France. Breton is a Brythonic language, descended from the Celtic British language brought from Great Britain to Armorica by migrating Britons during the Early Middle Ages. Like the other Brythonic languages, Welsh and Cornish, it is classified as...
and Welsh
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
languages bre 'hill'. Some of these toponyms are:
- Bérgoa: village in Ponteareas, and Bregua, village in CulleredoCulleredoCulleredo is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia.Culleredo is placed in the outskirts of A Coruña and its population in mainly formed of commuters....
. From Bergula, to Proto-Celtic *berg- 'hill'. - Bergaña: village in ValdoviñoValdoviñoValdoviño is a municipality in the province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia, north-western Spain.- Geography :The granite coast of Valdoviño is home to several sandy beaches, a large lagoon and a lighthouse.- Parroquias :...
. To Proto-Celtic *brig- 'hill'. - Bergaza, Bergazo: several villages in QuirogaQuiroga, GaliciaQuiroga is a municipality in the province of Lugo, part of the autonomous community of Galicia, northwestern Spain....
, ColesColesColes may refer to:Businesses:*Coles Supermarkets, a supermarket chain in Australia*Coles Group, former owner of Coles, Target, Kmart, Harris Technology, Officeworks and many other large chains in Australia....
, O CorgoO CorgoO Corgo, is a municipality in the Spanish province of Lugo....
, and a hill in XoveXoveXove is a municipality of Galicia, Spain in the province of Lugo.- Geography :* Roncadoira Point is the place of a light house in Xove's fjord like granite coast.- External links :...
. To Proto-Celtic *brig- 'hill'. - Berganzos: place in XoveXoveXove is a municipality of Galicia, Spain in the province of Lugo.- Geography :* Roncadoira Point is the place of a light house in Xove's fjord like granite coast.- External links :...
. To Proto-Celtic *brig- 'hill'. - BriónBriónBrión is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It has an area of , and a population of 7,347 inhabitants .-References:...
: several villages in BoiroBoiroBoiro is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia.It is perhaps best known as the small town where famous quadriplegic Ramón Sampedro received euthanasia...
, RianxoRianxoRianxo is a port town in Galicia, Spain, in the Province of A Coruña. It has a population of a little over 11,000 and its two main industries are fishing and tourism. The town's yearly celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe is popular with tourists. Rianxo was the birthplace of several influential...
, Malpica de BergantiñosMalpica de BergantiñosMalpica de Bergantiños is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
and OutesOutesOutes is a municipality in the Spanish province of A Coruña. It has a population of 8202 and an area of 100 km². The Cando event happened in 1994 within the boundaries of Cando, in the parish of San Tirso....
, a parish in Ferrol, and several other places and hills all along Galicia, including a municipality. To Proto-Celtic *brig- 'hill'. - Briallo: A pair of villages, in CesurasCesurasCesuras is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
and PontecesoPontecesoPonteceso is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
. Also the plural Briallos, a parish in PortasPortasPortas is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra....
and a village in PantónPantónPantón is a municipality of northwestern Spain, in the province of Lugo; in a mountainous district, watered by the rivers Miño , Cabe and Sil River. Its population in 2002 was 3,377. Livestock is extensively reared, and large quantities of wheat, wine, oats, and potatoes are produced. The other...
. To *brig- 'hill', with a pre-Latin sufix -alyo-, or a Latin one -aculo-. - Alcabre: A parish in VigoVigoVigo is a city and municipality in north-west Spain, in Galicia, situated on the ria of the same name on the Atlantic Ocean.-Population:...
. To *Alko-bris 'Elk-Hill'. - Alcobre (Arcobre in 991): A village in Vila de CrucesVila de CrucesVila de Cruces is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra....
. To *Arcobris. First element can be related to Indo-European *areq- 'to protect, to enclose' (Latin arx 'fort, stronghold'). - Alxibre: A village in RiotortoRiotorto- External links :****...
, probably to *Alisibris 'Alder-Hill'. - Anzobre (Anazobre, 971 CE; Anezovre, 966 CE): A village in ArteixoArteixoArteixo is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. Its area is 93.76 km² and its population is 29,762...
. To *Antyobris, with a first element of unclear meaning, probably to *anto- 'limit, border', or to *anatia- 'soul'. - Añobre (Arnobre in 1122): A parish in Vila de CrucesVila de CrucesVila de Cruces is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra....
. First element could be a primitive hydronym *Arno (cf. river Arno, in Italy). - Añobres: A village in MuxíaMuxiaMuxia is a coastal town in the province of A Coruña, in Galicia, Spain. It is one of the final destinations for pilgrims on the Way of St. James after visiting the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in Santiago de Compostela.Muxia is known for its spectacular beaches...
. Probably to *ānniyobris 'Ring-hill' (Cf. Old Irish ainne 'ring'), or to *(p)anyobrixs 'Hill(fort) by the water'.
Similar meaning can be attributed to Ombre (Anovre in 1114), a parish in Pontedeume
Pontedeume
Pontedeume is a municipality in the province of A Coruña, Galicia, north-western Spain.- Industry :Farming and services are the main economic activities, though from the late 1950s and particularly from the mid 1970s Pontedeume has developed into a coastal resort.- Parishes :Pontedeume is divided...
; Ombre (Anobre in 971), a village in O Pino
O Pino
O Pino is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. The capital of the municipality is O Pedrouzo, which is 18 kilometres from Santiago de Compostela...
; and Ombre, another three more villages in Culleredo
Culleredo
Culleredo is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia.Culleredo is placed in the outskirts of A Coruña and its population in mainly formed of commuters....
, Miño
Mino
Mino is the name of several places in Japan:*Mino, Gifu, a city in Gifu Prefecture*Mino, Kagawa, a former town in Kagawa Prefecture*Mino, Tokushima, a town in Tokushima Prefecture*"Mino" is an alternate spelling of Minoh, Osaka, a city in Osaka Prefecture...
and Brion
Brion
Brion may refer to:In France*Brion, Ain*Brion, Indre*Brion, Isère*Brion, Lozère*Brion, Maine-et-Loire*Brion, Saône-et-Loire*Brion, Vienne*Brion, Yonne*Brion-près-Thouet*Brion-sur-Ource*Manoir de Brion, a Benedictine prioryElsewhere...
.
- Baiobre: A village in ArzúaArzúaArzúa is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It has an area of 155.89 km², a population of 6,632 , and a population density of 42.54 people/km²-Demographics:...
. Probably to *Badyobris 'Yellow-hill'. - Bañobre: Two villages in GuitirizGuitirizGuitiriz is a City Council famous for its first class Spa of Mineral Water in the Terra Chá Region, Province of Lugo in North-western Spain.- Parishes :# Becín# Buriz# Labrada# Lagostelle# Mariz# As Negradas# Parga...
and MiñoMinoMino is the name of several places in Japan:*Mino, Gifu, a city in Gifu Prefecture*Mino, Kagawa, a former town in Kagawa Prefecture*Mino, Tokushima, a town in Tokushima Prefecture*"Mino" is an alternate spelling of Minoh, Osaka, a city in Osaka Prefecture...
. First element could be *wāgno- 'Depression, slope, meadow, marsh'. - Barallobre: Two villages in BetanzosBetanzosBetanzos is a municipality in Galicia, Spain, in the Province of A Coruña. In Roman times Betanzos was called Carunium or Brigantium. During the Medieval period the settlement was known as Carunio....
and FriolFriolFriol is a municipality in Lugo province in Galicia in north-west Spain....
, and a parish in FeneFENEFENE stands for the finitely extensible nonlinear elastic model of a long-chained polymer. It simplifies the chain of monomers by connecting a sequence of beads with nonlinear springs...
(Baraliobre in 1110). First element is the same with the Galician substantive baralla 'confrontation, debate, judgement, speech', of unknown origin. - Bedrobe (Bredovre, 1385 CE): A village in TordoiaTordoiaTordoia is a municipality in the Spanish province of A Coruña. It has a population of 4847 and an area of 125 km²....
. First element could be *brito- 'judgement'. - Biobra: A parish in RubiáRubiáaRubiá is a municipality in the Spanish province of Ourense. It has a population of 1734 and an area of 101 km²....
. To *Bedobrigā 'Ditch/Channel-Hill'. - Callobre: Two parishes in MiñoMinoMino is the name of several places in Japan:*Mino, Gifu, a city in Gifu Prefecture*Mino, Kagawa, a former town in Kagawa Prefecture*Mino, Tokushima, a town in Tokushima Prefecture*"Mino" is an alternate spelling of Minoh, Osaka, a city in Osaka Prefecture...
(it was Caliovre in 1114) and A EstradaA EstradaA Estrada is a municipality of the Pontevedra province in Galicia in northwestern Spain. It is located some 15 miles southeast of Santiago de Compostela. A Estrada is the chief town of a densely-populated mountainous district; its industries are agriculture, stockbreeding, and the manufacture of...
, and two villages in Oza dos RíosOza dos RíosOza dos Ríos or Oza de los Ríos is a municipality in the province of A Coruña, Galicia, Spain....
(it was Caliobre in 887) and OrtigueiraOrtigueiraOrtigueira is a seaport and municipality in the Province of A Coruña, Galicia, Spain; it is located on the northern slope of the Serra da Faladoira, the river Mera and on the eastern shore of the Ria de Santa Marta—a winding, rock-bound and much indented inlet of the Bay of Biscay, between Capes...
. First element could be *kallī- 'forest' or *kalyo- 'hard'. - Canzobre (Caranzobre, 1399 CE): A village in ArteixoArteixoArteixo is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. Its area is 93.76 km² and its population is 29,762...
, to *Carantyobris. First element can be *karant- 'beloved, friend'. - Castrove (alpe Castovre in 1025): A hill near PontevedraPontevedraPontevedra is a city in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula. It is the capital of both the comarca and province of Pontevedra, in Galicia . It is also the capital of its own municipality which is, in fact, often considered as an extension of the actual city...
. The first element is difficult, but cf. Gaulish personal name Casticus, and latin castrum 'castle'. - Cecebre (Zerzebre, 942 CE): A parish in CambreCambreCambre is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It is located 12 km from the capital city and ten minutes away from the city's airport, Alvedro....
. First element can be *kirk- 'ring'., or a zero-grade of *korko- 'swamp'. - Cezobre: A village in AgoladaAgoladaAgolada is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra....
. Probably to*Kaytyobris 'Wood-hill'. Note also SetúbalSetúbalSetúbal is the main city in Setúbal Municipality in Portugal with a total area of 172.0 km² and a total population of 118,696 inhabitants in the municipality. The city proper has 89,303 inhabitants....
, in Portugal, ancient Caetobriga. - Cillobre: Two villages in CulleredoCulleredoCulleredo is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia.Culleredo is placed in the outskirts of A Coruña and its population in mainly formed of commuters....
and TouroTouro, A CoruñaTouro is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
. The first element can be *kēlyo- 'companion', so 'Companion-Hill(fort)'. - Ciobre: A village in NarónNarónNarón is a municipality in Ferrolterra, Galicia .Geographically, the town is very close to the Atlantic Ocean. The city of Ferrol is 5 km away...
. The first element can be *kiwo- 'fog'. - Coebre (Colobre, 935 CE): A village in CesurasCesurasCesuras is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
. The first element can be *kʷolu- 'wheel' - Cortobe: A village in ArzúaArzúaArzúa is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It has an area of 155.89 km², a population of 6,632 , and a population density of 42.54 people/km²-Demographics:...
, maybe to a first element *corto- '?Round' - Fiobre: A village in BergondoBergondoBergondo is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It has an area of 32.85 km², a population of 6,413 , and a population density of 195.22 people/km²-Demographics:...
. The first element can be a evolution of *widu- 'wood'. Note the Portuguese inscription NIMIDI FIDUENEARUM HIC. - Illobre: A village in BetanzosBetanzosBetanzos is a municipality in Galicia, Spain, in the Province of A Coruña. In Roman times Betanzos was called Carunium or Brigantium. During the Medieval period the settlement was known as Carunio....
and a parish in VedraVedraVedra is a municipality in the Spanish province of A Coruña. It has a population of 5031 and an area of 53 km²....
. The first element can be *īlyo- 'swollen'. Cf. Gaulish name Iliomarus. - Iñobre: A village in RianxoRianxoRianxo is a port town in Galicia, Spain, in the Province of A Coruña. It has a population of a little over 11,000 and its two main industries are fishing and tourism. The town's yearly celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe is popular with tourists. Rianxo was the birthplace of several influential...
, in a small hill by the bay of Arousa. Probably to *(p)en-yo-bris 'Hill by the Swamp/Water'. - Ixobre: A village in AresAresAres is the Greek god of war. He is one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Hera. In Greek literature, he often represents the physical or violent aspect of war, in contrast to the armored Athena, whose functions as a goddess of intelligence include military strategy and...
. Probably to *Isyo-bris. Its first element would be *iso- 'fast, powerful' (cf. Isère, a river in France). - Landrove: A parish in ViveiroViveiroViveiro is a town and municipality in the province of Lugo, in the northwestern Galician autonomous community of Spain. It borders on the Cantabric Sea, to the west of Xove and to the east of O Vicedo...
, by the Landro river. So it can simply mean 'the hill by the Landro river'; from the Celtic element *landā- 'open land'. - Laxobre: A village in ArteixoArteixoArteixo is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. Its area is 93.76 km² and its population is 29,762...
. The first element is the same with the Galician substantive laxe 'stone slab, plain stone', medieval form lagena, to Celtic *(p)lāgenā which originated Old Irish láigean 'broad spearhead', Welsh llain 'blade'. - Vilouchada, parish and village in TrazoTrazoTrazo is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. Is located in the Comarca de Ordes.The Tambre River on the south serving as a boundary with the Santiago de Compostela municipality....
, ancient Lentobre ('uilla que ab antiquis uocitabatur Lentobre et nunc uocitatur Ostulata, subtus castro Brione', 818 CE). To *Lentrobrixs '?Hillfort by the Slope', to *lentrā 'slope', cf. Welsh llethr idem. - Lestrobe: Two villages in DodroDodroDodro is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
, and TrazoTrazoTrazo is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. Is located in the Comarca de Ordes.The Tambre River on the south serving as a boundary with the Santiago de Compostela municipality....
. To *Lestrobris, where the first element is Proto-Celtic *lestro- 'vessel, container; beehive'. So maybe *Lestrobris = 'Hill(fort) by the valley / depression'. - Maiobre: A village in AresAresAres is the Greek god of war. He is one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Hera. In Greek literature, he often represents the physical or violent aspect of war, in contrast to the armored Athena, whose functions as a goddess of intelligence include military strategy and...
, from *Magyobris 'Great Hill(fort)'. - Montrove, village in OleirosOleiros, GaliciaOleiros is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia . The whole municipality is basically a residential area and the vast majority of its residents commute on a daily basis to the neighbor city of A Coruña...
. Probably a Latin and Celtic hybrid meaning, literally, 'hill-hill'. - O GroveO GroveO Grove , Ogrobe is a municipality belonging to the province of Pontevedra, in Galicia, Spain.A peninsula that faces the Atlantic Ocean and the shores of O Salnés valley, enclosed by the southern Galician estuaries, the so-called "Rías Baixas"....
(Ogrobre, 912 CE): Municipality with two parishes and a town, in a peninsula by the Atlantic ocean. From *Okro-brixs 'Hillfort by the edge/angle' There are other three villages under the name Ogrobe, in PontedeumePontedeumePontedeume is a municipality in the province of A Coruña, Galicia, north-western Spain.- Industry :Farming and services are the main economic activities, though from the late 1950s and particularly from the mid 1970s Pontedeume has developed into a coastal resort.- Parishes :Pontedeume is divided...
, MondoñedoMondoñedoMondoñedo is a small town and municipality in the Galician province of Lugo, Spain. , the town has a population of 4,508. Mondoñedo occupies a sheltered valley among the northern outliers of the Cantabrian Mountains.-History:...
, and TaboadaTaboadaTaboada, is a municipality in the Spanish province of Lugo.Located on the southwest of the Council of Lugo, right in the centre of Galicia, Taboada offers a natural entry to the Sacred Riverside...
. - Obre: A parish in NoiaNoiaNoia is a town and municipality in Galicia, Spain. It has a population of 14,947 inhabitants , being situated in the Province of A Coruña, some 20 miles west of Santiago de Compostela near the mouth of the Tambre river....
(it was Olobre in 1113) and another one in PadernePadernePaderne may refer to:In Portugal**Paderne, Albufeira, a parish in the municipality of Albufeira**Paderne is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of MelgaçoIn Spain...
. The first element can be *olo- 'behind, beyond'. - Pezobre: A parish in SantisoSantisoSantiso is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
. First element appears to be the same one which originated the Galician word peza 'piece', from Proto-Celtic *kwezdi- through Gaulish *pettia-. - Rañobre: A village in ArteixoArteixoArteixo is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. Its area is 93.76 km² and its population is 29,762...
. First element could have multiple origins, but maybe to *(p)rasn-yo- 'share, part'. - Sansobre: A village in VimianzoVimianzoVimianzo is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
. Probably to *Sent-yo-bris, where the first element is either Celtic *sentu- 'path', or *sentiyo- 'neighbour', or even *santo- 'separated'. - Sillobre (Siliobre, 830 CE): A parish in FeneFENEFENE stands for the finitely extensible nonlinear elastic model of a long-chained polymer. It simplifies the chain of monomers by connecting a sequence of beads with nonlinear springs...
. First element is probably *sīl 'descendant, seed'. - Xiabre: A hill in CatoiraCatoiraCatoira is a municipality in Galicia , in the province of Pontevedra. Catoira is also known because of Torres do Oeste ruins.-Local festivals:The most important celebrations include...
. To *Senābris 'Old Hill(fort)', where the fist element is Celtic *senā- 'old (she)'. Cf. SanabriaSanabriaSanabria may refer to:*Sanabria - genus of bush crickets or katydids in the family Tettigoniidae subfamily Phaneropterinae* Sanabria or Senabria, a comarca in the province of Zamora, Spain...
, Senabria in 929. - Trobe (Talobre, 914 CE): A parish in VedraVedraVedra is a municipality in the Spanish province of A Coruña. It has a population of 5031 and an area of 53 km²....
. To *Talo-bris, cf. *talu- 'forehead, protuberance', *talamon- 'ground'. - Tallobre: A village in Negueira de MuñizNegueira de MuñizNegueira de Muñiz is a town in the province of Lugo, Galicia, northern Spain.- External links :**...
. From *Talyo-bris, with similar origin and meaning. - Tiobre (Toyobre, 1037 CE): A parish in BetanzosBetanzosBetanzos is a municipality in Galicia, Spain, in the Province of A Coruña. In Roman times Betanzos was called Carunium or Brigantium. During the Medieval period the settlement was known as Carunio....
. The first element is probably related to Celtic *togyā 'roof, covering', *tegos 'house'. - Tragove, a town in a peninsula in CambadosCambadosCambados is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra. It is known for its famous white wine, Albariño.- Culture :Fishing is a major industry in this coastal area of Galicia...
, by Arousa bay. Probably to *Tragobris 'Hillfort by the beach', from Celtic *trāg- 'beach, ebb, low tide'. - Vendabre, ancient village (Uendabre, 887 CE): To *windo- 'white' and *brixs. Cf. Vindobona, ancient name of ViennaViennaVienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
. - Boebre (Volebre, 922 CE): A parish in PontedeumePontedeumePontedeume is a municipality in the province of A Coruña, Galicia, north-western Spain.- Industry :Farming and services are the main economic activities, though from the late 1950s and particularly from the mid 1970s Pontedeume has developed into a coastal resort.- Parishes :Pontedeume is divided...
. The first element is probably related to *welH- 'to rule'.
Toponyms based on a superlative
Another frequent type of Celtic toponyms in Galicia are those whose names are formed as a superlative, either formed with the suffix -mmo- or with the composite one -is-mmo-:- Beresmo: A village in AviónAviónAvión is a municipality in the Spanish province of Ourense. It has a population of 2775 and an area of 121 km²....
, to Celtic *berg-is-amo- 'the highest one'. - Ledesma: A parish in BoqueixónBoqueixónBoqueixón is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
, in a plain by the Ulla river. To Celtic *(p)let-is-amā 'the broadest one'. - Bama (Vama, 912 CE): A parish in TouroTouro, A CoruñaTouro is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
, to *u(p)amā 'the lowest one'. - Bamio: A parish in Vilagarcía de ArousaVilagarcía de ArousaVilagarcía de Arousa is a port town situated on the firth of Arousa in Galicia, 45km south of Santiago de Compostela. Vilagarcía has a population of almost 37,000 inhabitants, so it is the eighth largest town in Galicia....
, to *u(p)am-yo '(relative to) the lowest one'. - Méixamo: A village in Navia de SuarnaNavia de SuarnaNavia de Suarna is a municipality in Lugo province in Galicia in north-west Spain....
, to *māysamo- 'the greatest one', or to magisamo- 'the largest one'. - Sésamo: A parish in CulleredoCulleredoCulleredo is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia.Culleredo is placed in the outskirts of A Coruña and its population in mainly formed of commuters....
. To *seg-is-amo- 'The strongest one'. The same origin have Sísamo, parish in CarballoCarballoCarballo is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia.The seafood company Calvo is headquartered here....
. - Osmo (Osamo, 928 CE): A parish in CenlleCenlleCenlle is a municipality in Ourense in the Galicia region of north-west Spain....
, to *owxs-amo 'the highest one'.
Other pre-Latin toponyms
Other villages and parishes have names with pre-Latin, probably Celtic, origin, specially in the coastal areas of A CoruñaA Coruña
A Coruña or La Coruña is a city and municipality of Galicia, Spain. It is the second-largest city in the autonomous community and seventeenth overall in the country...
and Pontevedra
Pontevedra
Pontevedra is a city in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula. It is the capital of both the comarca and province of Pontevedra, in Galicia . It is also the capital of its own municipality which is, in fact, often considered as an extension of the actual city...
provinces and all along the valley of the Ulla river. Among them:
- To Proto-Celtic *abank- 'wicker': Abanqueiro, medieval Avankario, parish and place with a lagoon, in BoiroBoiroBoiro is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia.It is perhaps best known as the small town where famous quadriplegic Ramón Sampedro received euthanasia...
. - To Proto-Celtic *arganto- 'silver, shinning': Arganzo, a village in MañónMañónMañón, also registered in the past as Maañón , is a city council of Ferrolterra in North-western Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia...
, to *Argantyo-. Cf. Old Breton argant, Cornish argans 'silver'. - To Proto-Celtic *bend- 'protruding peak': Bendaña, medieval Bendania, parish in TouroTouro, A CoruñaTouro is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
. Bendoiro, medieval Bendurio, parish in LalínLalínLalín is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the north of the province of Pontevedra, is the capital of the region of the Deza....
. - To Proto-Celtic *brīwā 'bridge': Bribes, a parish in CambreCambreCambre is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It is located 12 km from the capital city and ten minutes away from the city's airport, Alvedro....
(Brivis, 1154 CE), and a village in VimianzoVimianzoVimianzo is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
. Formally a Latin plural locative meaning '(where) the -'. Also, DumbríaDumbríaDumbría is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
, a municipality, ancient Donovria. There are several Brives in France. - From *dūno- 'fort': DumbríaDumbríaDumbría is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
, town, parish and municipality. It was Donobria in 830, from *Dūnobrīwā. - From *duro- 'door': Salvaterra de MiñoSalvaterra de MiñoSalvaterra de Miño is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra. The Municipality is located on the southern border of the province of Pontevedra, at the confluence of the valleys of the rivers Tea and Miño, and by the natural limits of the Sierra de Cañiza...
, which ancient name was Lacedurium (991 CE). - From *īsarno- 'iron': Isorna, a parish in RianxoRianxoRianxo is a port town in Galicia, Spain, in the Province of A Coruña. It has a population of a little over 11,000 and its two main industries are fishing and tourism. The town's yearly celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe is popular with tourists. Rianxo was the birthplace of several influential...
. - From *kambo- 'crooked, twisted': Camboño (Cambonio, 1157), parish in LousameLousameLousame is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
. - From *kanto- 'a hundred': Cantoña, a parish in Padernde de Allariz and two villages, in TeoTeo, A CoruñaTeo is a municipality in the Spanish province of A Coruña. It has a population of 15476 and an area of 79 km²....
and O PorriñoO PorriñoO Porriño is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra.It is an industrial town, in the metropolitan area of Vigo, of which it is an important economic dependency. One of its main industries is granite production...
. - From *karanto- 'friend, beloved': Carantoña, two parishes in MiñoMinoMino is the name of several places in Japan:*Mino, Gifu, a city in Gifu Prefecture*Mino, Kagawa, a former town in Kagawa Prefecture*Mino, Tokushima, a town in Tokushima Prefecture*"Mino" is an alternate spelling of Minoh, Osaka, a city in Osaka Prefecture...
(Carantonia, 1096) and VimianzoVimianzoVimianzo is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
. A village in LousameLousameLousame is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
(Carantonio, 1157). Carantos, village in CoristancoCoristancoCoristanco is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
. - From *kerbo- 'pointed, sharp': Cervaña, parish in SilledaSilledaSilleda is a municipality in the Spanish province of Galicia in Pontevedra and capital of the same.- Usage :The villa is located in the N-525 road that connects Ourense with Santiago de Compostela, and 40 km from the capital of Santiago...
. - From *lem- 'elm': Lemaio (to *Lēmawyo-), parish in Laracha.
- To *mrg- 'territory': CambreCambreCambre is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It is located 12 km from the capital city and ten minutes away from the city's airport, Alvedro....
(Calamber in 959) municipality, parish and town. Also, a parish in Malpica de BergantiñosMalpica de BergantiñosMalpica de Bergantiños is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
, and a village in CarballoCarballoCarballo is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia.The seafood company Calvo is headquartered here....
; OimbraOímbraOímbra is a municipality in the Spanish province of Ourense. It has a population of 1996 and an area of 72 km²....
(Olimbria in 953), municipality, parish and town; Pambre, a parish in Palas de ReiPalas de ReiPalas de Rei is a town in the province of Lugo, Galicia, north-western Spain.- External links :**...
(Palambre c. 1009) and a village in RamirásRamirásRamirás is a municipality in Ourense in the Galicia region of north-west Spain. It lies towards the south-west of the province....
. - From *nantu- 'stream, valley': Nantes, parish in SanxenxoSanxenxoSanxenxo is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra.It is a popular tourism destination. Sanxenxo is widely regarded as the best and certainly the most exclusive beach resort in Galicia....
; Nantón, a parish in Cabana de BergantiñosCabana de BergantiñosCabana de Bergantiños is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
and a village in A BañaA BañaA Baña is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It has an area of 98.63 km², a population of 4,888 , and a population density of 49.56 people/km²-Demographics:- External links :...
. - From *(p)lār- 'floor': Laraño, a parish in Santiago de CompostelaSantiago de CompostelaSantiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain.The city's Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James...
(Laranio, 1201), and a village in VedraVedraVedra is a municipality in the Spanish province of A Coruña. It has a population of 5031 and an area of 53 km²....
. Laranga (to *Laranicā 'Of the plain') village in Porto do SonPorto do SonPorto do Son is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. Porto do Son is in fact a collection of coastal towns and villages in the “ria de Muros e Noia” and as such is not just a town itself, but a municipality encompassing other towns including...
. - From *(p)let- 'broad, wide': Ledoño, parish in CulleredoCulleredoCulleredo is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia.Culleredo is placed in the outskirts of A Coruña and its population in mainly formed of commuters....
. - From *salō- 'ocean': Seaia (Salagia in 830), village in Malpica de BergantiñosMalpica de BergantiñosMalpica de Bergantiños is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
, and the name of an ancient coastal region comprising the actual municipalities of Malpica de BergantiñosMalpica de BergantiñosMalpica de Bergantiños is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
and PontecesoPontecesoPonteceso is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
. To the derivative form *Salawyā. - From *trebā 'settlement': Trevonzos (Trevoncio in 1176 ), village in BoiroBoiroBoiro is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia.It is perhaps best known as the small town where famous quadriplegic Ramón Sampedro received euthanasia...
. - From *werno- 'alder, alder-tree': Berrimes (Vernimes, 955), a village in LousameLousameLousame is a municipality of Spain in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia....
.
Other resources
- Aquén. Toponimia Galega. A localizer.
- Inventario toponímico da Galicia medieval. Medieval toponyms of Galicia.
- Toponimia de Galicia. Official site on toponymy.