Cornwall Place Names
Cornwall Place Names
| Stem | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| aber | mouth (of a river), confluence, a meeting of waters | Aberfal (English: Falmouth) |
| avon | river | |
| bre / bronn | hill | |
| eglos | church | Egloshayle (Cornish: Eglosheyl) |
| lann | church, churchyard, village with church, parish | Lanhydrock (Cornish: Lannhydrek) |
| nan, nans | valley | Nancledra |
| pen | head (headland or hill) | Penzance (Cornish: Pensans) |
| pol | pool or lake | Polperro |
| pons | bridge | |
| porth | harbour | Perranporth (Cornish: Porthpyran) |
| rys | ford | Camelford (Cornish: Ryskammel) |
| tre | settlement | Trewithen |
| treth | beach |
| English | Cornish | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Bodmin | Bosvenegh | From bos 'dwelling' & menegh 'monks' |
| Camborne | Kammbronn | |
| Calstock | Kalstok | |
| Camelford | Ryskammel |
A much more complete exposition of Cornish names and the meaning thereof can be found in the book, "Cornish Names" by T. F. G. Dexter.
Many towns and villages are named for Celtic saints who spread Christianity throughout Cornwall approximately 1500 years ago. These saints are often unknown outside of Cornwall, and these place names are often unique to the Duchy. Many of the names have been modernized since they were attached to the localities, but retain the Celtic character of their origins.