Place-name Etymology
An Introduction
Place-name etymology is a very difficult field of study. One needs to refer to the published works of experts in this discipline, for their knowledge and expertise in unravelling the secrets of place-names. Online access to archive material at the National Library of Wales and at The Melville Richards Archives at Bangor, as well as various other sources are valuable aids to finding early forms of place-names. The advice and help of fellow toponymists should also be sought.
My two place-name publications to date are Cynon Valley Place-names and Notes on some place-names in and around the Bont. [other publications include Historical and Hysterical Tales of Pontardulais Public House.]
Visitors to this site are welcome to contact me at dericj@googlemail.com if they wish to discuss etymolgies or suggest other place-names of interest.
[- not needed - Please click on the above BLUE links for place-names.]I have started a place-name elements section to contain the most popular and interesting place-name elements found in the place-names of south Wales. Most of my examples will be taken from the Cynon Valley, as well as the parish of Llandeilo Tal-y- bont, Swansea and places already posted on this site.
Place-names
At present, categories of place-names include: Pontardulais (Pontarddulais), Llandeilo Tal-y-bont parish names, Gower/Gwyr, Lliw, Llynfi, Neath and Tawe Valleys, Cardiff and district, Carmarthenshire, Monmouthshire, Cymoedd y Rhondda Valleys, Merthyr Tydfil and Pontypridd and disrict. Future entries will contain place-names from other areas of south Wales.
The latest entries are VAYNOR/Y FAENOR near Merthyr Tydfil, UPPER BOAT/GLAN-BAD, near Pontypridd and YR HENDY / HENDY, Carmarthenshire.
This website is relatively new and contains much material from my previous website - with additions.
The latest entries are VAYNOR/Y FAENOR near Merthyr Tydfil, UPPER BOAT/GLAN-BAD, near Pontypridd and YR HENDY / HENDY, Carmarthenshire.
This website is relatively new and contains much material from my previous website - with additions.
If any of this material is used elsewhere, will you please acknowledge the source.
Thanks for visiting,
Deric Meidrum John