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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.
Ancient Celtic toponyms
In Galicia, approximately half of the non Latin toponyms transmitted from antiquity in the works of classical geographers and authors (
Pomponius Mela,
Pliny the Elder,
Ptolemy...), or in
epigraphic Roman inscriptions, have been found to be Celtic,[1][2] 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.[3] The most characteristic element is *-bri(s),[4] from Proto-Celtic *brigs,[5] 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 (castros) built in hills and peninsulas. Many of them were abandoned after the Roman conquest.
Aediobri:[6] From a votive inscription to the god BANDVE AEDIOBRICO. To *aydu- 'fire' or *(p)ētu- '(grass)land, territory',[7] and *brixs 'hill(fort)'. Cf. Irish brí 'hill' and Welsh brig 'crest', and the people of the Aedui in Gaul.
Asseconia or Assegonion:[8] A town. Maybe to *Ad-sego- 'The very strong one'.
Aviliobris:[9] Castle (hillfort) in NW Galicia. To *Awelyobrixs 'Windy Hill'. Cf. Breton/Welsh awel 'wind'.
Adrobricam urbem:[10] City of the Artabri. To *brig- 'hill(fort)'.
Albiones:[11] A people living in between the rivers
Navia and
Eo. To *albiyo- '(upper) world' or 'country'.[12]
Arrotrebae:[11] A people living by the seashore, in NW Galicia. To *trebā 'settlement', and *aryo-, either 'free man'[13] or a derivative of *(p)are- 'in front of'.[14]
Aunios:[15][16] An island on the Atlantic Ocean, modern
Ons. To Celtic *auni-, of unclear meaning and etymology.[17]Hydatius mentions a local people called Aunonenses, confronted with the
Suevi newcomers in the 5th century.
Berisamo:[18] A hillfort of the Cileni. Probably to the superlative *Bergisamo- 'The highest one'.[19]
Beriso:[18] A hillfort of the Cabarci, probably to the comparative *Bergiso- 'The higher one'.[19]
Bonisana:[20] A town. To *bonu- 'foundation, base, butt'. Cf. Old Iris bun 'foundation, base, estuary'.
Brigantia:[18] Ancient city, most probably modern
A Coruña (Faro Bregancio in 971 CE). From *brigant- 'relevant, powerful'.[21] See also: Proto-Celtic *Briganti.
Callaecia[15] 'The land of the Callaeci', to *kallā- 'wood'[22] with a local complex suffix -āik-. Later it became Gallicia, modern Galicia or Galiza.
Calubriga:[23] A hillfort. To *brigā 'hill(fort)', and a first element of unclear meaning.
Cambetum:[24] A town. To *kambo- 'crooked, twisted'.
Canibri:[23] 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.[25][26]
Cistonia:[27] A town. To *kistā- 'woven basket',[28] and eventually 'chariot'.[29]
Coelerni:[30] A people living in southern Galicia. To *koyl- 'thin (naked, bold)'. Cf. Old Irish cóil 'meagre, lean'.
Coeliobriga:[27] An oppidum near
Celanova, 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
Lugo in the east. Their name is probably non-Celtic, but note the Pictish *copor- 'confluence',[31] maybe to *kom-bero- 'confluence' (or 'bring together').[32]
Ebora:[33] Harbour, by the mouth of the
Tambre river. To *eburo- 'yew'.
Ebronanto (
Valerio of Bierzo, Ordo Cerimonialis, c. 650). A state near modern
Rubiá. To *Eburo-nantu 'Yew-Valley'.
Equasei:[34] A people living in southern Galicia. To *ekʷo- 'horse'.[35] Cf. Old Irish ech 'horse'.
Ercoriobri:[36] A hillfort of the Albiones. A composite with first element *(p)are-koro- 'blow, shot' (cf. Old Breton ercor 'blow, stroke'),[37] or *Ēri-corio- 'army/tribe of the west',[38] and *brixs 'hill / hillfort'.
Gigurri:[14] A people living in actual
Valdeorras. From *Gigur-yo, maybe 'the gander (people)'. Cf. Old Irish gigrann 'gander'.
Laniobriga:[42] Probable ancient name of the hillfort of San Cibrao de Lás,
San Amaro, although the lecture of the inscription which contains this toponym is disputed.[43] To *(p)lānyobrigā 'Hillfort of the Plain'.[44]
Laniobre:[42] Bishopric during the 7th century. To *(p)lānyobrixs.
Lemavi:[45] A people inhabiting the valley of
Lemos. To *Lēmawoi ‘The Elm people’, to *lēmo- 'elm'.
Limia:[46][47] River, modern
Galician: Limia or
Portuguese: Lima, near to its sources it became a large lagoon or marshy area, today desiccated. From *līmā- 'flood'.[48] Cf. Welsh llif idem.
Lubri:[42] Hillfort of the Celtici. The first element, *lū-, can be an 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 have been besieged by the Romans,[49] the former giving themselves death when the situation became desperate. To *med-o- 'judge', *med-yo- 'middle' or *medu- 'mead'.[50] Cf. place-names Medulli, Medullis, Medulla, in Gaul.
Minius:[46] Largest river in Galicia, modern
Galician: Miño or
Portuguese: Minho. To *mīno- 'tender, soft', cf. Old Irish mín idem.
Miobri:[51] Hillfort of the Celtici. Probably to *Meyobrixs 'Minor Hill(fort)'.[52] A dedication to COSO MEOBRIGO (*Meyobri-ko) may also refer to this castle, or to another one under the same name.
Morodon:[53] A town by the ocean. To *mor- 'sea' and *dūno- 'fort'. Cf. the British toponym Moridunum.
Navia:[20][54] River, still known under the same name today. To *nāwiā- 'boat (vase, bowl)'.[55]
Nemetobriga:[36] Probably the capital of the Tiburi, in SE Galicia. To *nemeto- 'sanctuary' and *brigā 'hill(fort)'. See:
Nemeton.
Nerii:[56] A Celtici tribe dwelling near or around today's
Fisterra. To *nero- 'hero'.
Novium:[57] A town sometimes considered to be modern
Noia. From *nowyo- 'new'.
Ocelum:[58] A town, near
Lugo. To *ok-elo- 'promontory'.[59]
Olca:[60] A castle by
Rodeiro, in the highlands of middle Galicia. To *(p)olkā 'arable lands'.[61]
Ontonia:[63] A town. From *φonth2-on-yā '(the one of the) path'.
Querquerni: A people living in southern Galicia. To Indo-European *perkʷos 'oak', with Celtic assimilation.[64]
Seurri: A people living in both banks of the middle curse of the Miño river. To *seg-ur-yo-, 'the powerful ones'.[65]
Talabriga:[66] Castle of the Limici. To *talu- 'front, forehead, protuberance, shield'[67] and *brigā 'hill(fort)'.
Tamaris:[20][68] River, modern
Tambre. To *tamo- 'dark'.
Trileukon:[20] A promontory, modern Punta dos Aguillóns or Cabo Ortegal. To *trīs- 'three' or 'very', and *louko- 'bright, shining'.
Verubri:[69] 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 Mountains, a mountain range, usually more than 2000 meters high, running from
Galicia till
Cantabria. To *windo- 'white', so 'The White (mountains)'.
In the 5th or 6th centuries a colony of
Britons settled in northern Galicia,[70] 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:[71]
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
Moeche. Several other places were called Britonia in the neighbourhood.
Bretoña: A parish and a town in
A Pastoriza. It is usually considered the heir to the ancient capital of the Britons of Galicia.
There also existed a village called Bretonos near the city of
Lugo, in the Middle Ages.[72]
Modern and mediaeval 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 Altas region around
A Coruña, 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,
Pontevedra. Probably Celtic,[73] to *(p)are-auso- 'cheek'.
Bergantiños (Bregantinos, 924): Region, to *brigantīno-[74] 'king', or to *brigantigno-,[75] both etymons would have yielded the same result. Cf. Middle Welsh brenhin 'king'.
Carnota (Carnota, 915 AD): 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,
Vilarmaior.[76] To *karn- 'pile, heap',[77] with a hypocoristic suffix.
Céltigos[78] (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 Celts. With the same origin, and implying further migrations:
Cervantes: Mountainous country and municipality in eastern Galicia. To *kerbo- 'pointed, sharp'.[79]
Entíns (Gentines, 1110), a parish in
Outes, anciently a much larger region: From *gentīnos 'prince; chief of a kinship',[80] cognate with Gothic kindins 'governor'.
Larouco (Latin Larauco): A 1400-metre-high mountain, in
Baltar; also a municipality and a parish by the
Sil river; there is also a village under the name Larouce, in
O Carballiño. Probably from *(p)lārHw-ko-, a derivative of 'plain/field'.[81] Cf. Old Irish lár 'ground, surface, middle'.
Lemos (Lemabus, 841 CE): A large valley, south of
Lugo. Its name is an evolution of the name of the
Lemavi people, who inhabited these lands. To Celtic *lēmo- 'elm'.
Nendos[78] (Nemitos, 842): Region and ancient territory, to Celtic *nemeto- 'sacred place, sanctuary',[74] and 'privileged person'.[82]
Tambo[83] (Tanao, 911): Small island in
Pontevedra bay, to Celtic *tanawos 'thin'.[74] Cf. Breton tanaw, idem.
Rivers
Many Galician rivers preserve old Celtic and pre-Roman Indo-European names, most notably larger ones. Others have lost its pre-Latin name, but its old namewas recorded in Medieval scriptures:
Ambía[84] (Ambia, 949 CE): A tributary to the Arnoia. To Proto-Celtic *ambe- 'river'.[85]
Barbanza: A short mountain river in A Coruña province, to *bhr̥u̯-n̥ti̯-ah2‑ 'boiling > waterfall'.[86]
Chonia:[87] Tributary of the
Tambre River. To Proto-Celtic *klowni- 'meadow'.
Deva (Deva, 961 CE):[88] At least two Galician rivers are called Deva, both tributaries to the
Minho: the first flows through the municipalities of
Arbo and
A Cañiza, the second through
Pontedeva (literally 'Bridge-upon-Deva'). To Celtic *dēwā 'goddess'.[89][90] There is also a small village called Deva in
Cervantes, Lugo. Cf. also rivers
Deva in
Asturias and
river Dee, Wales, ancient Dēva.[91]
Dubra[84] (Dubria, 1110 CE), affluent of the
Tambre River. From Proto-Celtic *dubrā- 'dark',[74] which in several Celtic languages developed semantically into the substantive 'water'. The municipality of
Val do Dubra ('Dubra's Valley') receives its name from this river. Compare with the Asturian
Dobra, and the rivers Douvres in France and Dover in England.[92]
Landro:.[93] River which flows through the town of
Viveiro into the
Bay of Biscay. To *(p)lān- '?River of the plane',[94] or to *land- 'open land (valley)'.
Limia:[46] To Celtic *līmā- 'flood',[48] so probably 'The river of the flooded area'. In the past it formed a large swampy area near its sources which was mostly desiccated during the 20th century.
Mandeo (Mandeum, 803 CE):[95] Probably to *mandus 'pony'.[85]
Mendo (Minuete, 964 CE):[96] A river which flows thought
Betanzos into the sea, together with the larger Mandeo. To *menwo- 'small, minute', 'Minor River'. Cf. Irish menb 'idem'.
Miño or Minho:[46] Largest river in Galicia, to *mīno- 'tender, soft'. Cf. Old Irish mín idem.
Nanton,[97] river, tributary of the Tambre, from Proto-Celtic *nanto- 'stream, valley'. Another different one, the Río das Gándaras also bore the same name in the past (Nantoni, 955 CE).[98]
Navia:[20] Large river which marked the frontier of Galicia and Asturias during the first centuries of the common era.[99][100] It flows thought a canyon for much of its course. To *nāwiā- 'boat (vase, bowl)'.[55] Cf Spanish nava 'valley in between mountains'. Another river, a tributary of the
Sil river born by the 1700 meters high mountains of Serra de Queixa, in the
province of Ourense, is also named Navea.
Samo:[101] A tributary of the
Tambre. To Celtic *sāmo- 'calm, easy, pleasant'.[74] Cf. Middle Irish sám 'idem'.
Tambre:[102] Ancient Tamaris. To *tamo- 'dark', so 'Dark river'. Cf. the British rivers
Tamar (ancient Tamarus),
Thames (Tamesis) and Tamius. Another two Galician rivers bear closely related names (both to *Tam-ikā): Tâmega (Tamice, 982):[103] Tributary of the
Douro; and Támoga or Támboga (Tamega, 934 CE):[103] Tributary of the
Miño.
Rio de Perros (Vernesga, 1078 CE), sub-tributary of the Miño:[104] To *wernes-ikā, to *werno- 'alder, alder-tree'.
Río Grande, a tributary of the
Eo river, was attested as Alesantia in 775: To *Alisantiā as, for example, the rivers
Elsenz,
Auzance,
Alrance in Germany and France. The old name is preserved in the name of a village As Anzas. Related: Esgos, a municipality in Ourense, from Alesgos (ancient names of the local river), from *Alisikos.[105]
Río Xallas, 60 km long river which flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Ézaro, attested as Esar during the Middle Ages: To *isar-, as the rivers
Isère in France,
River Aire in England,
Isar in Germany,
Ésera in NE Spain.[106]
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 Age 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[4] is *brigs,[107] meaning 'hill, high place', and by extension 'hillfort'. Usually it is the second element in composite toponyms ending in -bre, -be or -ve,[108] 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
Breton and
Welsh languages bre 'hill'. Some of these toponyms are:[109]
Bérgoa: village in
Ponteareas, and Bregua, village in
Culleredo. From Bergula, to Proto-Celtic *berg- 'hill'.[110]
Bergaña: village in
Valdoviño. To Proto-Celtic *brig- 'hill'.[110]
Bergaza, Bergazo: several villages in
Quiroga,
Coles,
O Corgo, and a hill in
Xove. To Proto-Celtic *brig- 'hill'.[110]
Berganzos: place in
Xove. To Proto-Celtic *brig- 'hill'.[110]
Brión: several villages in
Boiro,
Rianxo,
Malpica de Bergantiños and
Outes, a parish in
Ferrol, and several other places and hills all along Galicia, including a municipality. To Proto-Celtic *brig- 'hill'.
Briallo:[111] A pair of villages, in
Cesuras and
Ponteceso. Also the plural Briallos, a parish in
Portas and a village in
Pantón. To *brig- 'hill', with a pre-Latin suffix -alyo-, or a Latin one -aculo-.
Alcabre: A parish in
Vigo. To *Alko-bris 'Elk-Hill'.
Alcobre (Arcobre in 991): A village in
Vila de Cruces. To *Arcobris.[112] First element can be related to Indo-European *areq- 'to protect, to enclose' (Latin arx 'fort, stronghold').
Alxibre: A village in
Riotorto, probably to *Alisibris[113] 'Alder-Hill'.
Anzobre (Anazobre, 971 CE; Anezovre, 966 CE): A village in
Arteixo. To *Antyobris, with a first element of unclear meaning,[114] probably to *anto- 'limit, border', or to *anatia- 'soul'.[85]
Añobre (Arnobre in 1122): A parish in
Vila de Cruces. First element could be a primitive hydronym *Arno (cf. river
Arno, in Italy).
Añobres: A village in
Muxía. Probably to *ānniyobris 'Ring-hill' (Cf. Old Irish ainne 'ring'),[74] or to *(p)anyobrixs 'Hill(fort) by the water'.[115]
Baiobre: A village in
Arzúa. Probably to *Badyobris 'Yellow-hill'.[116]
Bañobre: Two villages in
Guitiriz and
Miño. First element could be *wāgno- 'Depression, slope, meadow, marsh'.[74]
Barallobre: Two villages in
Betanzos and
Friol, and a parish in
Fene (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
Tordoia. First element could be *brito- 'judgement'.[117][118]
Biobra (Viobra, 1252 CE): A parish in
Rubiá. To *Widubrigā 'Forest/Wood-hillfort'.[119]
Callobre: Two parishes in
Miño (it was Caliovre in 1114) and
A Estrada, and two villages in
Oza dos Ríos (it was Caliobre in 887) and
Ortigueira. First element could be *kallī- 'forest'[120] or *kalyo- 'hard'.[121]
Canzobre (Caranzobre, 1399 CE): A village in
Arteixo, to *Carantyobris. First element can be *karant- 'beloved, friend'.[122]
Castrove (alpe Castovre in 1025): A hill near
Pontevedra. The first element is difficult, but cf. Gaulish personal name Casticus, and Latin castrum 'castle'.[123]
Cecebre (Zerzebre, 942 CE): A parish in
Cambre. First element can be *kirk- 'ring'.,[124] or a zero-grade of *korko- 'swamp'.[125]
Cezobre: A village in
Agolada. Probably to*Kaytyobris 'Wood-hill'.[126] Note also
Setúbal, in Portugal, ancient Caetobriga.
Cillobre: Two villages in
Culleredo and
Touro. The first element can be *kēlyo- 'companion', so 'Companion-Hill(fort)'.[127]
Ciobre: A village in
Narón. The first element can be *kiwo- 'fog'.[128]
Coebre (Colobre, 935 CE): A village in
Cesuras. The first element can be *kʷolu- 'wheel'[129]
Cortobe: A village in
Arzúa, maybe to a first element *corto- '?Round'[130]
Fiobre: A village in
Bergondo. The first element can be an evolution of *widu- 'wood'.[131] Note the Portuguese inscription NIMIDI FIDUENEARUM HIC.[132]
Illobre: A village in
Betanzos and a parish in
Vedra. The first element can be *īlyo- 'swollen'.[133] Cf. Gaulish name Iliomarus.
Iñobre: A village in
Rianxo, in a small hill by the bay of Arousa. Probably to *(p)en-yo-bris 'Hill by the Swamp/Water'.[134][135]
Ixobre: A village in
Ares. Probably to *Isyo-bris.[136] Its first element would be *iso- 'fast, powerful'[137] (cf. Isère, a river in France).
Landrove: A parish in
Viveiro, by the Landro river. So it can simply mean 'the hill by the Landro river'; from the Celtic element *landā- 'open land'.[138]
Laxobre: A village in
Arteixo. 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'.[139]
Vilouchada, parish and village in
Trazo, ancient Lentobre ('uilla que ab antiquis uocitabatur Lentobre et nunc uocitatur Ostulata, subtus castro Brione', 818 CE).[140] To *Lentrobrixs '?Hillfort by the Slope', to *lentrā 'slope', cf. Welsh llethr idem.
Lestrobe: Two villages in
Dodro, and
Trazo. To *Lestrobris, where the first element is Proto-Celtic *lestro- 'vessel, container; beehive'.[141] So maybe *Lestrobris = 'Hill(fort) by the valley / depression'.
Maiobre: A village in
Ares, from *Magyobris 'Great Hill(fort)'.[142]
Montrove, village in
Oleiros. Probably a Latin and Celtic hybrid meaning, literally, 'hill-hill'.[140]
O Grove (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'[143][144] There are other three villages under the name Ogrobe, in
Pontedeume,
Mondoñedo, and
Taboada.
Obre: A parish in
Noia (it was Olobre in 1113)[136] and another one in
Paderne. The first element can be *olo- 'behind, beyond'.[145]
Ombre (Anobre, 971): 5 villages in A Coruña province (in
Pontedeume,
O Pino,
Culleredo,
Miño and
Brion) at or near the banks of the Tambre, Mero and Eume rivers; from Proto-Celtic *fano- 'water: swamp' .[146][147]
Pezobre: A parish in
Santiso. First element appears to be the same one which originated the Galician word peza 'piece', from Proto-Celtic *kwezdi- through Gaulish *pettia-.[35]
Rañobre: A village in
Arteixo. First element could have multiple origins, but maybe to *(p)rasn-yo- 'share, part'.
Sansobre: A village in
Vimianzo. Probably to *Sent-yo-bris,[148] where the first element is either Celtic *sentu- 'path', or *sentiyo- 'neighbour',[149] or even *santo- 'separated'.[150]
Sillobre (Siliobre, 830 CE): A parish in
Fene. First element is probably *sīl 'descendant, seed'.[74]
Xiabre: A hill in
Catoira. To *Senābris 'Old Hill(fort)',[148] where the first element is Celtic *senā- 'old (she)'. Cf.
Sanabria, Senabria in 929.
Trobe (Talobre, 914 CE): A parish in
Vedra. To *Talo-bris,[140] cf. *talu- 'forehead, protuberance', *talamon- 'ground'.[74]
Tallobre: A village in
Negueira de Muñiz. From *Talyo-bris, with similar origin and meaning.
Tiobre (Toyobre, 1037 CE): A parish in
Betanzos. The first element is probably related to Celtic *togyā 'roof, covering', *tegos 'house'.[74]
Tragove, a town in a peninsula in
Cambados, by Arousa bay. Probably to *Tragobris 'Hillfort by the beach', from Celtic *trāg- 'beach, ebb, low tide'.[74]
Vendabre, ancient village (Uendabre, 887 CE):[148] To *windo- 'white' and *brixs. Cf. Vindobona, ancient name of
Vienna.
Boebre (Volebre, 922 CE): A parish in
Pontedeume. The first element is probably related to *welH- 'to rule'.[151]
Toponyms based on a superlative
Another frequent type of Celtic toponyms in Galicia are those whose names are formed as a superlative,[152] either formed with the suffix -mmo- or with the composite one -is-mmo-:
Beresmo:[153] A village in
Avión, to Celtic *berg-is-amo- 'the highest one'.
Ledesma:[154] A parish in
Boqueixón, in a plain by the
Ulla river. To Celtic *(p)let-is-amā 'the broadest one'.
Bama (Vama, 912 CE):[155] A parish in
Touro, to *u(p)amā 'the lowest one'.[156]
Bamio: A parish in
Vilagarcía de Arousa, to *u(p)am-yo '(relative to) the lowest one'.
Méixamo: A village in
Navia de Suarna, to *māysamo- 'the greatest one',[157] or to magisamo- 'the largest one'.[158]
Sésamo:[77][159] A parish in
Culleredo. To *seg-is-amo- 'The strongest one'.[160] The same origin have Sísamo, parish in
Carballo.
Osmo (Osamo, 928 CE):[77][159] A parish in
Cenlle, to *owxs-amo 'the highest one'.[161]
Other pre-Latin toponyms
Other villages and parishes have names with pre-Latin, probably Celtic, origin, specially in the coastal areas of
A Coruña and
Pontevedra provinces and all along the valley of the
Ulla river. Among them:
To Proto-Celtic *abank- 'wicker':[162]Abanqueiro, medieval Avankario, parish and place with a lagoon, in
Boiro.
To Proto-Celtic *arganto- 'silver, shining':[163]Arganzo, a village in
Mañón, to *Argantyo-.[164] Cf. Old Breton argant, Cornish argans 'silver'.
To Proto-Celtic *bend- 'protruding peak':[165]Bendaña, medieval Bendania, parish in
Touro. Bendoiro, medieval Bendurio, parish in
Lalín.
To Proto-Celtic *brīwā 'bridge':[166]Bribes, a parish in
Cambre (Brivis, 1154 CE), and a village in
Vimianzo. Formally a Latin plural locative meaning '(where) the -'. Also, Dumbría, a municipality, ancient Donovria. There are several Brives in France.
From Proto-Celtic *dūno- 'fort':[166]Dumbría, town, parish and municipality. It was Donobria in 830, from *Dūnobrīwā.
From Proto-Celtic *karanto- 'friend, beloved':[168]Carantoña, two parishes in
Miño (Carantonia, 1096) and
Vimianzo. A village in
Lousame (Carantonio, 1157). Carantos, village in
Coristanco.
From Proto-Celtic *kerbo- 'pointed, sharp':[79]Cervaña, parish in
Silleda.
From Proto-Celtic *lem- 'elm': Lemaio (to *Lēmawyo-), parish in
Laracha.
To Proto-Celtic *mrg- 'territory':[169]Cambre (Calamber in 959) municipality, parish and town. Also, a parish in
Malpica de Bergantiños, and a village in
Carballo; Oimbra (Olimbria in 953), municipality, parish and town; Pambre, a parish in
Palas de Rei (Palambre c. 1009) and a village in
Ramirás.
From Proto-Celtic *(p)lār- 'floor': Laraño, a parish in
Santiago de Compostela (Laranio, 1201), and a village in
Vedra. Laranga (to *Laranicā 'Of the plain') village in
Porto do Son.
From Proto-Celtic *(p)let- 'broad, wide': Ledoño,[171] parish in
Culleredo.
From Proto-Celtic *salō- 'ocean':[173]Seaia (Salagia in 830), village in
Malpica de Bergantiños, and the name of an ancient coastal region comprising the actual municipalities of
Malpica de Bergantiños and
Ponteceso. To the derivative form *Salawyā.
From Proto-Celtic *trebā 'settlement': Trevonzos (Trevoncio in 1176 ), village in
Boiro.
From Proto-Celtic *werno- 'alder, alder-tree': Berrimes (Vernimes, 955), a village in
Lousame.
From Proto-Celtic *windo- 'white':[174]Bendia (Vendena in 1037),
Castro de Rei; Bendoiro (Vendurio in 978),
Lalín.[175]
^In general, cf. Falileyev (2007), Curchin (2008), Luján (2006). Reconstructed Proto-Celtic forms are usually given according to the forms proposed by Matasovic (2009). As in the rest of the article, an asterisk marks an otherwise hypothetical form.
Prósper, Blanca María (2002). Lenguas y religiones prerromanas del occidente de la península ibérica. Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca.
ISBN978-84-7800-818-6.
Prósper, Blanca María and Francisco Villar (2005). Vascos, Celtas e Indoeuropeos: Genes y lenguas. Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca.
ISBN978-84-7800-530-7.
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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.
Ancient Celtic toponyms
In Galicia, approximately half of the non Latin toponyms transmitted from antiquity in the works of classical geographers and authors (
Pomponius Mela,
Pliny the Elder,
Ptolemy...), or in
epigraphic Roman inscriptions, have been found to be Celtic,[1][2] 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.[3] The most characteristic element is *-bri(s),[4] from Proto-Celtic *brigs,[5] 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 (castros) built in hills and peninsulas. Many of them were abandoned after the Roman conquest.
Aediobri:[6] From a votive inscription to the god BANDVE AEDIOBRICO. To *aydu- 'fire' or *(p)ētu- '(grass)land, territory',[7] and *brixs 'hill(fort)'. Cf. Irish brí 'hill' and Welsh brig 'crest', and the people of the Aedui in Gaul.
Asseconia or Assegonion:[8] A town. Maybe to *Ad-sego- 'The very strong one'.
Aviliobris:[9] Castle (hillfort) in NW Galicia. To *Awelyobrixs 'Windy Hill'. Cf. Breton/Welsh awel 'wind'.
Adrobricam urbem:[10] City of the Artabri. To *brig- 'hill(fort)'.
Albiones:[11] A people living in between the rivers
Navia and
Eo. To *albiyo- '(upper) world' or 'country'.[12]
Arrotrebae:[11] A people living by the seashore, in NW Galicia. To *trebā 'settlement', and *aryo-, either 'free man'[13] or a derivative of *(p)are- 'in front of'.[14]
Aunios:[15][16] An island on the Atlantic Ocean, modern
Ons. To Celtic *auni-, of unclear meaning and etymology.[17]Hydatius mentions a local people called Aunonenses, confronted with the
Suevi newcomers in the 5th century.
Berisamo:[18] A hillfort of the Cileni. Probably to the superlative *Bergisamo- 'The highest one'.[19]
Beriso:[18] A hillfort of the Cabarci, probably to the comparative *Bergiso- 'The higher one'.[19]
Bonisana:[20] A town. To *bonu- 'foundation, base, butt'. Cf. Old Iris bun 'foundation, base, estuary'.
Brigantia:[18] Ancient city, most probably modern
A Coruña (Faro Bregancio in 971 CE). From *brigant- 'relevant, powerful'.[21] See also: Proto-Celtic *Briganti.
Callaecia[15] 'The land of the Callaeci', to *kallā- 'wood'[22] with a local complex suffix -āik-. Later it became Gallicia, modern Galicia or Galiza.
Calubriga:[23] A hillfort. To *brigā 'hill(fort)', and a first element of unclear meaning.
Cambetum:[24] A town. To *kambo- 'crooked, twisted'.
Canibri:[23] 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.[25][26]
Cistonia:[27] A town. To *kistā- 'woven basket',[28] and eventually 'chariot'.[29]
Coelerni:[30] A people living in southern Galicia. To *koyl- 'thin (naked, bold)'. Cf. Old Irish cóil 'meagre, lean'.
Coeliobriga:[27] An oppidum near
Celanova, 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
Lugo in the east. Their name is probably non-Celtic, but note the Pictish *copor- 'confluence',[31] maybe to *kom-bero- 'confluence' (or 'bring together').[32]
Ebora:[33] Harbour, by the mouth of the
Tambre river. To *eburo- 'yew'.
Ebronanto (
Valerio of Bierzo, Ordo Cerimonialis, c. 650). A state near modern
Rubiá. To *Eburo-nantu 'Yew-Valley'.
Equasei:[34] A people living in southern Galicia. To *ekʷo- 'horse'.[35] Cf. Old Irish ech 'horse'.
Ercoriobri:[36] A hillfort of the Albiones. A composite with first element *(p)are-koro- 'blow, shot' (cf. Old Breton ercor 'blow, stroke'),[37] or *Ēri-corio- 'army/tribe of the west',[38] and *brixs 'hill / hillfort'.
Gigurri:[14] A people living in actual
Valdeorras. From *Gigur-yo, maybe 'the gander (people)'. Cf. Old Irish gigrann 'gander'.
Laniobriga:[42] Probable ancient name of the hillfort of San Cibrao de Lás,
San Amaro, although the lecture of the inscription which contains this toponym is disputed.[43] To *(p)lānyobrigā 'Hillfort of the Plain'.[44]
Laniobre:[42] Bishopric during the 7th century. To *(p)lānyobrixs.
Lemavi:[45] A people inhabiting the valley of
Lemos. To *Lēmawoi ‘The Elm people’, to *lēmo- 'elm'.
Limia:[46][47] River, modern
Galician: Limia or
Portuguese: Lima, near to its sources it became a large lagoon or marshy area, today desiccated. From *līmā- 'flood'.[48] Cf. Welsh llif idem.
Lubri:[42] Hillfort of the Celtici. The first element, *lū-, can be an 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 have been besieged by the Romans,[49] the former giving themselves death when the situation became desperate. To *med-o- 'judge', *med-yo- 'middle' or *medu- 'mead'.[50] Cf. place-names Medulli, Medullis, Medulla, in Gaul.
Minius:[46] Largest river in Galicia, modern
Galician: Miño or
Portuguese: Minho. To *mīno- 'tender, soft', cf. Old Irish mín idem.
Miobri:[51] Hillfort of the Celtici. Probably to *Meyobrixs 'Minor Hill(fort)'.[52] A dedication to COSO MEOBRIGO (*Meyobri-ko) may also refer to this castle, or to another one under the same name.
Morodon:[53] A town by the ocean. To *mor- 'sea' and *dūno- 'fort'. Cf. the British toponym Moridunum.
Navia:[20][54] River, still known under the same name today. To *nāwiā- 'boat (vase, bowl)'.[55]
Nemetobriga:[36] Probably the capital of the Tiburi, in SE Galicia. To *nemeto- 'sanctuary' and *brigā 'hill(fort)'. See:
Nemeton.
Nerii:[56] A Celtici tribe dwelling near or around today's
Fisterra. To *nero- 'hero'.
Novium:[57] A town sometimes considered to be modern
Noia. From *nowyo- 'new'.
Ocelum:[58] A town, near
Lugo. To *ok-elo- 'promontory'.[59]
Olca:[60] A castle by
Rodeiro, in the highlands of middle Galicia. To *(p)olkā 'arable lands'.[61]
Ontonia:[63] A town. From *φonth2-on-yā '(the one of the) path'.
Querquerni: A people living in southern Galicia. To Indo-European *perkʷos 'oak', with Celtic assimilation.[64]
Seurri: A people living in both banks of the middle curse of the Miño river. To *seg-ur-yo-, 'the powerful ones'.[65]
Talabriga:[66] Castle of the Limici. To *talu- 'front, forehead, protuberance, shield'[67] and *brigā 'hill(fort)'.
Tamaris:[20][68] River, modern
Tambre. To *tamo- 'dark'.
Trileukon:[20] A promontory, modern Punta dos Aguillóns or Cabo Ortegal. To *trīs- 'three' or 'very', and *louko- 'bright, shining'.
Verubri:[69] 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 Mountains, a mountain range, usually more than 2000 meters high, running from
Galicia till
Cantabria. To *windo- 'white', so 'The White (mountains)'.
In the 5th or 6th centuries a colony of
Britons settled in northern Galicia,[70] 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:[71]
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
Moeche. Several other places were called Britonia in the neighbourhood.
Bretoña: A parish and a town in
A Pastoriza. It is usually considered the heir to the ancient capital of the Britons of Galicia.
There also existed a village called Bretonos near the city of
Lugo, in the Middle Ages.[72]
Modern and mediaeval 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 Altas region around
A Coruña, 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,
Pontevedra. Probably Celtic,[73] to *(p)are-auso- 'cheek'.
Bergantiños (Bregantinos, 924): Region, to *brigantīno-[74] 'king', or to *brigantigno-,[75] both etymons would have yielded the same result. Cf. Middle Welsh brenhin 'king'.
Carnota (Carnota, 915 AD): 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,
Vilarmaior.[76] To *karn- 'pile, heap',[77] with a hypocoristic suffix.
Céltigos[78] (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 Celts. With the same origin, and implying further migrations:
Cervantes: Mountainous country and municipality in eastern Galicia. To *kerbo- 'pointed, sharp'.[79]
Entíns (Gentines, 1110), a parish in
Outes, anciently a much larger region: From *gentīnos 'prince; chief of a kinship',[80] cognate with Gothic kindins 'governor'.
Larouco (Latin Larauco): A 1400-metre-high mountain, in
Baltar; also a municipality and a parish by the
Sil river; there is also a village under the name Larouce, in
O Carballiño. Probably from *(p)lārHw-ko-, a derivative of 'plain/field'.[81] Cf. Old Irish lár 'ground, surface, middle'.
Lemos (Lemabus, 841 CE): A large valley, south of
Lugo. Its name is an evolution of the name of the
Lemavi people, who inhabited these lands. To Celtic *lēmo- 'elm'.
Nendos[78] (Nemitos, 842): Region and ancient territory, to Celtic *nemeto- 'sacred place, sanctuary',[74] and 'privileged person'.[82]
Tambo[83] (Tanao, 911): Small island in
Pontevedra bay, to Celtic *tanawos 'thin'.[74] Cf. Breton tanaw, idem.
Rivers
Many Galician rivers preserve old Celtic and pre-Roman Indo-European names, most notably larger ones. Others have lost its pre-Latin name, but its old namewas recorded in Medieval scriptures:
Ambía[84] (Ambia, 949 CE): A tributary to the Arnoia. To Proto-Celtic *ambe- 'river'.[85]
Barbanza: A short mountain river in A Coruña province, to *bhr̥u̯-n̥ti̯-ah2‑ 'boiling > waterfall'.[86]
Chonia:[87] Tributary of the
Tambre River. To Proto-Celtic *klowni- 'meadow'.
Deva (Deva, 961 CE):[88] At least two Galician rivers are called Deva, both tributaries to the
Minho: the first flows through the municipalities of
Arbo and
A Cañiza, the second through
Pontedeva (literally 'Bridge-upon-Deva'). To Celtic *dēwā 'goddess'.[89][90] There is also a small village called Deva in
Cervantes, Lugo. Cf. also rivers
Deva in
Asturias and
river Dee, Wales, ancient Dēva.[91]
Dubra[84] (Dubria, 1110 CE), affluent of the
Tambre River. From Proto-Celtic *dubrā- 'dark',[74] which in several Celtic languages developed semantically into the substantive 'water'. The municipality of
Val do Dubra ('Dubra's Valley') receives its name from this river. Compare with the Asturian
Dobra, and the rivers Douvres in France and Dover in England.[92]
Landro:.[93] River which flows through the town of
Viveiro into the
Bay of Biscay. To *(p)lān- '?River of the plane',[94] or to *land- 'open land (valley)'.
Limia:[46] To Celtic *līmā- 'flood',[48] so probably 'The river of the flooded area'. In the past it formed a large swampy area near its sources which was mostly desiccated during the 20th century.
Mandeo (Mandeum, 803 CE):[95] Probably to *mandus 'pony'.[85]
Mendo (Minuete, 964 CE):[96] A river which flows thought
Betanzos into the sea, together with the larger Mandeo. To *menwo- 'small, minute', 'Minor River'. Cf. Irish menb 'idem'.
Miño or Minho:[46] Largest river in Galicia, to *mīno- 'tender, soft'. Cf. Old Irish mín idem.
Nanton,[97] river, tributary of the Tambre, from Proto-Celtic *nanto- 'stream, valley'. Another different one, the Río das Gándaras also bore the same name in the past (Nantoni, 955 CE).[98]
Navia:[20] Large river which marked the frontier of Galicia and Asturias during the first centuries of the common era.[99][100] It flows thought a canyon for much of its course. To *nāwiā- 'boat (vase, bowl)'.[55] Cf Spanish nava 'valley in between mountains'. Another river, a tributary of the
Sil river born by the 1700 meters high mountains of Serra de Queixa, in the
province of Ourense, is also named Navea.
Samo:[101] A tributary of the
Tambre. To Celtic *sāmo- 'calm, easy, pleasant'.[74] Cf. Middle Irish sám 'idem'.
Tambre:[102] Ancient Tamaris. To *tamo- 'dark', so 'Dark river'. Cf. the British rivers
Tamar (ancient Tamarus),
Thames (Tamesis) and Tamius. Another two Galician rivers bear closely related names (both to *Tam-ikā): Tâmega (Tamice, 982):[103] Tributary of the
Douro; and Támoga or Támboga (Tamega, 934 CE):[103] Tributary of the
Miño.
Rio de Perros (Vernesga, 1078 CE), sub-tributary of the Miño:[104] To *wernes-ikā, to *werno- 'alder, alder-tree'.
Río Grande, a tributary of the
Eo river, was attested as Alesantia in 775: To *Alisantiā as, for example, the rivers
Elsenz,
Auzance,
Alrance in Germany and France. The old name is preserved in the name of a village As Anzas. Related: Esgos, a municipality in Ourense, from Alesgos (ancient names of the local river), from *Alisikos.[105]
Río Xallas, 60 km long river which flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Ézaro, attested as Esar during the Middle Ages: To *isar-, as the rivers
Isère in France,
River Aire in England,
Isar in Germany,
Ésera in NE Spain.[106]
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 Age 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[4] is *brigs,[107] meaning 'hill, high place', and by extension 'hillfort'. Usually it is the second element in composite toponyms ending in -bre, -be or -ve,[108] 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
Breton and
Welsh languages bre 'hill'. Some of these toponyms are:[109]
Bérgoa: village in
Ponteareas, and Bregua, village in
Culleredo. From Bergula, to Proto-Celtic *berg- 'hill'.[110]
Bergaña: village in
Valdoviño. To Proto-Celtic *brig- 'hill'.[110]
Bergaza, Bergazo: several villages in
Quiroga,
Coles,
O Corgo, and a hill in
Xove. To Proto-Celtic *brig- 'hill'.[110]
Berganzos: place in
Xove. To Proto-Celtic *brig- 'hill'.[110]
Brión: several villages in
Boiro,
Rianxo,
Malpica de Bergantiños and
Outes, a parish in
Ferrol, and several other places and hills all along Galicia, including a municipality. To Proto-Celtic *brig- 'hill'.
Briallo:[111] A pair of villages, in
Cesuras and
Ponteceso. Also the plural Briallos, a parish in
Portas and a village in
Pantón. To *brig- 'hill', with a pre-Latin suffix -alyo-, or a Latin one -aculo-.
Alcabre: A parish in
Vigo. To *Alko-bris 'Elk-Hill'.
Alcobre (Arcobre in 991): A village in
Vila de Cruces. To *Arcobris.[112] First element can be related to Indo-European *areq- 'to protect, to enclose' (Latin arx 'fort, stronghold').
Alxibre: A village in
Riotorto, probably to *Alisibris[113] 'Alder-Hill'.
Anzobre (Anazobre, 971 CE; Anezovre, 966 CE): A village in
Arteixo. To *Antyobris, with a first element of unclear meaning,[114] probably to *anto- 'limit, border', or to *anatia- 'soul'.[85]
Añobre (Arnobre in 1122): A parish in
Vila de Cruces. First element could be a primitive hydronym *Arno (cf. river
Arno, in Italy).
Añobres: A village in
Muxía. Probably to *ānniyobris 'Ring-hill' (Cf. Old Irish ainne 'ring'),[74] or to *(p)anyobrixs 'Hill(fort) by the water'.[115]
Baiobre: A village in
Arzúa. Probably to *Badyobris 'Yellow-hill'.[116]
Bañobre: Two villages in
Guitiriz and
Miño. First element could be *wāgno- 'Depression, slope, meadow, marsh'.[74]
Barallobre: Two villages in
Betanzos and
Friol, and a parish in
Fene (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
Tordoia. First element could be *brito- 'judgement'.[117][118]
Biobra (Viobra, 1252 CE): A parish in
Rubiá. To *Widubrigā 'Forest/Wood-hillfort'.[119]
Callobre: Two parishes in
Miño (it was Caliovre in 1114) and
A Estrada, and two villages in
Oza dos Ríos (it was Caliobre in 887) and
Ortigueira. First element could be *kallī- 'forest'[120] or *kalyo- 'hard'.[121]
Canzobre (Caranzobre, 1399 CE): A village in
Arteixo, to *Carantyobris. First element can be *karant- 'beloved, friend'.[122]
Castrove (alpe Castovre in 1025): A hill near
Pontevedra. The first element is difficult, but cf. Gaulish personal name Casticus, and Latin castrum 'castle'.[123]
Cecebre (Zerzebre, 942 CE): A parish in
Cambre. First element can be *kirk- 'ring'.,[124] or a zero-grade of *korko- 'swamp'.[125]
Cezobre: A village in
Agolada. Probably to*Kaytyobris 'Wood-hill'.[126] Note also
Setúbal, in Portugal, ancient Caetobriga.
Cillobre: Two villages in
Culleredo and
Touro. The first element can be *kēlyo- 'companion', so 'Companion-Hill(fort)'.[127]
Ciobre: A village in
Narón. The first element can be *kiwo- 'fog'.[128]
Coebre (Colobre, 935 CE): A village in
Cesuras. The first element can be *kʷolu- 'wheel'[129]
Cortobe: A village in
Arzúa, maybe to a first element *corto- '?Round'[130]
Fiobre: A village in
Bergondo. The first element can be an evolution of *widu- 'wood'.[131] Note the Portuguese inscription NIMIDI FIDUENEARUM HIC.[132]
Illobre: A village in
Betanzos and a parish in
Vedra. The first element can be *īlyo- 'swollen'.[133] Cf. Gaulish name Iliomarus.
Iñobre: A village in
Rianxo, in a small hill by the bay of Arousa. Probably to *(p)en-yo-bris 'Hill by the Swamp/Water'.[134][135]
Ixobre: A village in
Ares. Probably to *Isyo-bris.[136] Its first element would be *iso- 'fast, powerful'[137] (cf. Isère, a river in France).
Landrove: A parish in
Viveiro, by the Landro river. So it can simply mean 'the hill by the Landro river'; from the Celtic element *landā- 'open land'.[138]
Laxobre: A village in
Arteixo. 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'.[139]
Vilouchada, parish and village in
Trazo, ancient Lentobre ('uilla que ab antiquis uocitabatur Lentobre et nunc uocitatur Ostulata, subtus castro Brione', 818 CE).[140] To *Lentrobrixs '?Hillfort by the Slope', to *lentrā 'slope', cf. Welsh llethr idem.
Lestrobe: Two villages in
Dodro, and
Trazo. To *Lestrobris, where the first element is Proto-Celtic *lestro- 'vessel, container; beehive'.[141] So maybe *Lestrobris = 'Hill(fort) by the valley / depression'.
Maiobre: A village in
Ares, from *Magyobris 'Great Hill(fort)'.[142]
Montrove, village in
Oleiros. Probably a Latin and Celtic hybrid meaning, literally, 'hill-hill'.[140]
O Grove (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'[143][144] There are other three villages under the name Ogrobe, in
Pontedeume,
Mondoñedo, and
Taboada.
Obre: A parish in
Noia (it was Olobre in 1113)[136] and another one in
Paderne. The first element can be *olo- 'behind, beyond'.[145]
Ombre (Anobre, 971): 5 villages in A Coruña province (in
Pontedeume,
O Pino,
Culleredo,
Miño and
Brion) at or near the banks of the Tambre, Mero and Eume rivers; from Proto-Celtic *fano- 'water: swamp' .[146][147]
Pezobre: A parish in
Santiso. First element appears to be the same one which originated the Galician word peza 'piece', from Proto-Celtic *kwezdi- through Gaulish *pettia-.[35]
Rañobre: A village in
Arteixo. First element could have multiple origins, but maybe to *(p)rasn-yo- 'share, part'.
Sansobre: A village in
Vimianzo. Probably to *Sent-yo-bris,[148] where the first element is either Celtic *sentu- 'path', or *sentiyo- 'neighbour',[149] or even *santo- 'separated'.[150]
Sillobre (Siliobre, 830 CE): A parish in
Fene. First element is probably *sīl 'descendant, seed'.[74]
Xiabre: A hill in
Catoira. To *Senābris 'Old Hill(fort)',[148] where the first element is Celtic *senā- 'old (she)'. Cf.
Sanabria, Senabria in 929.
Trobe (Talobre, 914 CE): A parish in
Vedra. To *Talo-bris,[140] cf. *talu- 'forehead, protuberance', *talamon- 'ground'.[74]
Tallobre: A village in
Negueira de Muñiz. From *Talyo-bris, with similar origin and meaning.
Tiobre (Toyobre, 1037 CE): A parish in
Betanzos. The first element is probably related to Celtic *togyā 'roof, covering', *tegos 'house'.[74]
Tragove, a town in a peninsula in
Cambados, by Arousa bay. Probably to *Tragobris 'Hillfort by the beach', from Celtic *trāg- 'beach, ebb, low tide'.[74]
Vendabre, ancient village (Uendabre, 887 CE):[148] To *windo- 'white' and *brixs. Cf. Vindobona, ancient name of
Vienna.
Boebre (Volebre, 922 CE): A parish in
Pontedeume. The first element is probably related to *welH- 'to rule'.[151]
Toponyms based on a superlative
Another frequent type of Celtic toponyms in Galicia are those whose names are formed as a superlative,[152] either formed with the suffix -mmo- or with the composite one -is-mmo-:
Beresmo:[153] A village in
Avión, to Celtic *berg-is-amo- 'the highest one'.
Ledesma:[154] A parish in
Boqueixón, in a plain by the
Ulla river. To Celtic *(p)let-is-amā 'the broadest one'.
Bama (Vama, 912 CE):[155] A parish in
Touro, to *u(p)amā 'the lowest one'.[156]
Bamio: A parish in
Vilagarcía de Arousa, to *u(p)am-yo '(relative to) the lowest one'.
Méixamo: A village in
Navia de Suarna, to *māysamo- 'the greatest one',[157] or to magisamo- 'the largest one'.[158]
Sésamo:[77][159] A parish in
Culleredo. To *seg-is-amo- 'The strongest one'.[160] The same origin have Sísamo, parish in
Carballo.
Osmo (Osamo, 928 CE):[77][159] A parish in
Cenlle, to *owxs-amo 'the highest one'.[161]
Other pre-Latin toponyms
Other villages and parishes have names with pre-Latin, probably Celtic, origin, specially in the coastal areas of
A Coruña and
Pontevedra provinces and all along the valley of the
Ulla river. Among them:
To Proto-Celtic *abank- 'wicker':[162]Abanqueiro, medieval Avankario, parish and place with a lagoon, in
Boiro.
To Proto-Celtic *arganto- 'silver, shining':[163]Arganzo, a village in
Mañón, to *Argantyo-.[164] Cf. Old Breton argant, Cornish argans 'silver'.
To Proto-Celtic *bend- 'protruding peak':[165]Bendaña, medieval Bendania, parish in
Touro. Bendoiro, medieval Bendurio, parish in
Lalín.
To Proto-Celtic *brīwā 'bridge':[166]Bribes, a parish in
Cambre (Brivis, 1154 CE), and a village in
Vimianzo. Formally a Latin plural locative meaning '(where) the -'. Also, Dumbría, a municipality, ancient Donovria. There are several Brives in France.
From Proto-Celtic *dūno- 'fort':[166]Dumbría, town, parish and municipality. It was Donobria in 830, from *Dūnobrīwā.
From Proto-Celtic *karanto- 'friend, beloved':[168]Carantoña, two parishes in
Miño (Carantonia, 1096) and
Vimianzo. A village in
Lousame (Carantonio, 1157). Carantos, village in
Coristanco.
From Proto-Celtic *kerbo- 'pointed, sharp':[79]Cervaña, parish in
Silleda.
From Proto-Celtic *lem- 'elm': Lemaio (to *Lēmawyo-), parish in
Laracha.
To Proto-Celtic *mrg- 'territory':[169]Cambre (Calamber in 959) municipality, parish and town. Also, a parish in
Malpica de Bergantiños, and a village in
Carballo; Oimbra (Olimbria in 953), municipality, parish and town; Pambre, a parish in
Palas de Rei (Palambre c. 1009) and a village in
Ramirás.
From Proto-Celtic *(p)lār- 'floor': Laraño, a parish in
Santiago de Compostela (Laranio, 1201), and a village in
Vedra. Laranga (to *Laranicā 'Of the plain') village in
Porto do Son.
From Proto-Celtic *(p)let- 'broad, wide': Ledoño,[171] parish in
Culleredo.
From Proto-Celtic *salō- 'ocean':[173]Seaia (Salagia in 830), village in
Malpica de Bergantiños, and the name of an ancient coastal region comprising the actual municipalities of
Malpica de Bergantiños and
Ponteceso. To the derivative form *Salawyā.
From Proto-Celtic *trebā 'settlement': Trevonzos (Trevoncio in 1176 ), village in
Boiro.
From Proto-Celtic *werno- 'alder, alder-tree': Berrimes (Vernimes, 955), a village in
Lousame.
From Proto-Celtic *windo- 'white':[174]Bendia (Vendena in 1037),
Castro de Rei; Bendoiro (Vendurio in 978),
Lalín.[175]
^In general, cf. Falileyev (2007), Curchin (2008), Luján (2006). Reconstructed Proto-Celtic forms are usually given according to the forms proposed by Matasovic (2009). As in the rest of the article, an asterisk marks an otherwise hypothetical form.
Prósper, Blanca María (2002). Lenguas y religiones prerromanas del occidente de la península ibérica. Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca.
ISBN978-84-7800-818-6.
Prósper, Blanca María and Francisco Villar (2005). Vascos, Celtas e Indoeuropeos: Genes y lenguas. Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca.
ISBN978-84-7800-530-7.