Wednesday 10 October 2012

Welsh Place names (Corruptions)

Corruption of Welsh Place-names
Corruptions are not necessarily bad, as they are part of the process of language evolution. However some place names shown below, have been needlessly changed due to lack of respect for local culture/ colonialism.
Google maps uses only the English versions.

Key: *important please read*

-> Anglicised to (Welsh name corrupted to English)
-   Possibly co-evolved
<- Welsh corruption of Old English name (Saxon etc)

Flintshire/Sir Fflint

  1. Bwlch y Clai - Buckley
  2. Yr Wyddgrug -> Mold
  3. Brychdyn <- Broughton
  4. Pen ar lag -> Hawarden
  5. Treffynnon -> Holywell
  6. Yr Hob - Hope
  7. Ewlo -> Ewloe
  8. Glannau Dyfrdwy - Deeside
  9. Coed y Llai -. Leeswood
  10. Pentre Helygain -> Pentre Halkyn
  11. Y Fflint -> Flint
  12. Chwitffordd -> Whitford
  13. Pentre Catherall -> New Brighton
    (changed by an English industry owner to accommodate workers imported from Wirral)

Wrecsam

  1. Rhiwabon -> Ruabon
  2. Ceiriog (Y Waun) ->Chirk (Roman bastardisation)
  3. Bryncunallt -> Brynkinallt (mine)
  4. Llai -> Llay
  5. Bradle ->Bradley 
  6. Bangor is y coed -> Bangor on Dee
  7. Erbistog - Erbistock
  8. Marchwiail (strong twigs) -> Marchwiel
  9. Y Mwynglawdd - Minera
  10. Ial -> Yale

Denbighshire/ Sir Ddinbych

  1. Dinbych (small fort) -> Denbigh
  2. Rhuthun (from Rhudd din/red city) -> Ruthin
  3. Llanelwy - St Asaph
  4. Afon Chwiler -> River Wheeler
  5. Bryniau Clwyd -> Clwydian Range
  6. Abaty Glyn Egwestl / Abaty Glyn y Groes - Valle Crucis Abbey
  7. Bwlch yr Oernant - Horsehore pass 
  8. Afon Dyfrdwy -> River Dee (Welsh name from a 'Celtic' goddess of water)

North West Wales/ Gwynedd + Mon + Conwy

  1. Y Bermo/Abermaw ->Barmouth (Corrupted to English by the threat of trade embargo from 18th century merchants unable to pronounce the place name)
  2. Conwy -> Conway
  3. Cricieth -> Criccieth
  4. Aberdyfi -> Aberdovey
  5. Ynys Seiriol -> Puffin Island
  6. Rhosyr -> Newborough (Welsh later changed this to Niwbwrch/Niwbro)
  7. Morfa Henddol -> (renamed by new settlement to:) Fairbourne
  8. Yr Wyddfa -> Snowdon
  9. Rhaeadr Ewynnol -> Swallow Falls
  10. Rhaeadr y Graig Lwyd -> Conwy Falls
  11. Mochras -> Shell Island
  12. Porth y Wygyr -> Beaumaris Castle (Biwmares)
  13. Llanmaes - Original settlement of Beaumaris - name change was imposed by the Normans
  14. Caergybi -> Holyhead
  15. Ynys Mon ->Anglesey
  16. Nant y Pandy -> The Dingle (Ynys Mon)  (Commercial reasons/nature reserve)
  17. Traeth Coch -> Red Wharf bay (now converted back)
  18. Pen Llŷn -> Lleyn Penisula
  19. Ynys Enlli -> Bardsey Island
  20. Yr Eifl -> The Rivals
  21. Cilfoden - Bethesda (1819)
  22. Bae Cinmel - Kinmel bay
  23. Llandrillo yn Rhos -> Rhos on sea
  24. (Pen) y Gogarth -> Great Orme (Norse origin)
  25. Ynysoedd y Moelrhoniaid -> The Skerries 
  26. Porthaethwy - Menai Bridge (area) 
  27. Llyn Tegid -> Bala Lake

Ceredigion

  1. Ceredigion (Aberteifi) -> Cardigan
  2. Llwyn Angharad -> Lovesgrove (an aristocratic estate near Aberystwyth)
  3. Cei Newydd -> New Quay
  4. Gwy -> Wye
  5. Hafren -> Severn (Severn ironically is from an ancient retained Celtic name!)
  6. Craig-glais -> Constitution Hill (Victorian tourist slang name)
  7. Llanbedr Pont Steffan -> Lampeter
  8. Pumlumon -> Plynlimon
  9. Y Groes - New Cross
  10. Nant-y-Fallen -> Bow Street (possible original pre-London Welsh name)

Powys

  1. Crug Hywel -> Crickhowell  (Crug Hywel is also the native name for nearby "Table top mountain")
  2. Trefaldwyn - Montgomery
  3. Llanandras -> Presteigne
  4. Brychain (Aberhonddu) -> Brecon
  5. Tref y Clawdd ->Knighton
  6. Y Gelli -> Hay on Wye
  7. Afon Llugwy -> River Lugg
  8. Rhaeadr Gwy -> Rhayader
  9. Llanfair ym Muallt -> Builth Wells
  10. Wysg (Brynbuga) -> Usk
  11. Trallwng -> Pool -> Welshpool (1835)
  12. Maesyfed -> New Radnor
  13. Pencraig -> Old Radnor
  14. Abaty Cwm Hir - Abbey Cwmhir
  15. Cleirwy -> Clyro
  16. Llangatwg -> Llangattock
  17. Pont Senni -> Sennybridge
  18. Cegidfa - Guilsfield
  19. Aberriw -> Berriew
  20. Caerhywel -> Caerhowel
  21. Ceri -> Kerry
  22. Y Mynydd Du -> Black Mountain
  23. Y Mynyddoedd Duon -> The Black Mountains
  24. Yr Ystog - Churchstoke
  25. Penfford Las -> Staylittle (quick horse shoeing times)
  26. Twmpa -> Lord Hereford's Knob
  27. Llyn Efyrnwy -> Lake Vyrnwy
  28. Y Clas ar Wy -> Glasbury 
  29. Llyn Safaddan - Llangorse lake (Llangors (sans 'e' was the swampy parish area)

Sir Benfro/ Pembrokeshire

  1. Dinbych y Pysgod -> Tenby
  2. Tredraeth-> Newport (Pembs)
  3. Ty Ddewi -> St David's
  4. Ynys Dewi -> Ramsey Island
  5. Hwlffordd -> Haverfordwest
  6. Abergwaun -> Fishguard
  7. Arberth -> Narberth
  8. Llandudoch -> St Dogmaels
  9. Camros (crooked moor) -> Camrose
  10. Llanussyllt - Saundersfoot
  11. Aberdaugleddau (Mouth of the two swords) - Milford Haven
  12. Caeriw -> Carew 
  13. Treletert - Letterson 
  14. Cas Blaidd - Wolf's Castle 
  15. Ynys Bŷr -> Caldey Island

Sir Gaerfyrddin/ Carmarthen

  1. Caerfyrddin -> Carmarthen
  2. (Castell-newydd) Emlyn -> Newcastle emlyn
  3. Llanymddyfri -> Llandovery
  4. Cydweli - Kidwelly
  5. Talacharn -> Laugharne
  6. Hendy Gwyn -> Whitland
  7. Talyllychau -> Talley
  8. Rhydaman -> Ammanford (somehow an extra 'm' was added)

South Wales Valleys/ Cymoedd De Cymru

  1. Abertyleri -> Abertillery
  2. Aberdâr -> Aberdare
  3. Aberpennar -> Mountain Ash (housing estate orig.)
  4. Rhyd Aman -> Ammanford
  5. Pontypwl -> Pontypool
  6. Blaenafon -> Blaenavon
  7. Glyn Ebwy -> Ebbw Vale
  8. Caerfili -> Caerphilly
  9. Y Coed Duon - Blackwood
  10. Rhisga -> Risca
  11. Abercynffig -> Aberkenfig
  12. Meisgyn -> Miskin
  13. Treorci -> Treorchy
  14. Castell Nedd -> Neath
  15. Pen y bont (ar ogwr) -> Bridgend
  16. Glyn-nedd -> Glynneath
  17. Merthyr Tudful -> Merthyr Tydfil (local welsh dialect spelling)
  18. Rhos Solfen (Resolfen) -> Resolven
  19. Cil y Coed -> Caldicot
  20. Rhymni -> Rhymney
  21. Crymlyn - Crumlin
  22. Blaendulais -> Seven Sisters
  23. Brynaman -> Brynamman
  24. Cwm Sirhywi -> Sirhowy valley
  25. Aberafan -> Aberavon -> Port Talbot
  26. Y Blaenau -> Blaina
  27. Pont Y Gwaith -> Tylorstown (forced to change by colliery owners)
  28. Glynrhedog -> Ferndale
    (a deliberate change by colliery owner to make it easier to pronounce for english speaking migrant workers) 
  29. Trecelyn -> Newbridge 
  30. Y Cendl - Beaufort 
  31. Llangrallo -> Coychurch  
  32. Blaendulais -> Seven Sisters
  33. Tonysguboriau -> Talbot Green

Ardal Abertawe/ Swansea area

  1. Abertawe -> Swansea
  2. Dyfnant -> Dunvant
  3. Tregŵyr -> Gowerton
  4. Pontybrenin - Kingsbridge
  5. Ystum Llwynarth -> Oystermouth (Gower)
  6. Y Mwmbwls <- The Mumbles (what was the original name?)
  7. Llandeilo Ferwallt -> Bishopston (Swans)
  8. Treforys <- Morriston (Welsh after English built estate - originally; Llangyfelach )
  9. Glandwr -> Landore (Swan)
  10. Y Sgeti (ynys Ceti) -> Sketty
  11. Felindre - Velindre (although 'v' more common in Welsh in past)
  12. (Penrhyn) Gŵyr -> Gower (Penisula)
  13. Cas-llwchwr -> Loughor
  14. Llansawel - Briton Ferry

South Glamorgan/ De Morgannwg

  1. Gwenfô - Wenvoe
  2. Morgannwg -> Glamorgan
  3. Rhiwbeuno -> Rhiwbina
  4. Llwyn Fedw -> Birchgrove (Cardiff)
  5. Llysfaen -> Lisvane (Cardiff)
  6. Y Pil -> Pyle
  7. Llanilltud Fawr -> Llantwit Major
  8. Caerdyf-> Caerdydd -> Cardiff
  9. Llandaf -> Llandaff
  10. Llaneirwg -> St Mellon
  11. Llandŵ -> Llandow
  12. Tresigin -> Sigingstone
  13. Y Rhath -> Roath
  14. Trelái -> Ely (Cardiff)
  15. Lle-Helygwydd -> Llecwydd -> Leckwith (Cardiff)
  16. Y Bont Faen ->Cowbridge
  17. Waunadda - Adamstown
  18. Y Sblot (Allotments) -> Splott
  19. Eglwys Llwyd - Ludchurch 
  20. Ynys Echni - Flatholm 
  21. Sili -> Sully
  22. Larnog -> Lavernock 
  23. Sain Ffagan -> St Fagans 
  24. Treganna -> Canton (Cardiff) 
  25. Sain Tathan - >Saint Athan.
  26. Sain Dunwyd- > St Donats.
  27. Y Wig -> Wick.
  28. Trebeferad -> Boverton.
  29. Yr as fawr -> Monknash.
  30. Aberddawen-> Aberthaw.
  31. Y Rhws- Rhoose.

Old Monmouthshire/Sir Hen Fynwy

  1. Mynwy ->Monmouth
  2. Abergafenni ->Abergavenny (Slang name: Y Fenni)
  3. Cas-Gwent - Chepstow
  4. Porth Ysgewin -> Portskewett
  5. Rhaglan -> Raglan 
  6. Tyndyrn ->Tintern
  7. Llanarfan -> St. Arvans
  8. Ynysgynwraidd -> Skenfrith
  9. Pen y Fal -> Sugar Loaf 
  10. Llanddewi Nant Honddu -> Llanthony

Newport/Casnewydd



1. Casnewydd (ar Wysg) - Newport (on Usk) 
2. Caerllion -> Caerleon

    (Caerllion = Fort of a legion)



Outside Cymru/Wales (most are admittedly corrupted many centuries ago)

  1. Llanllieni -> Leominster (now England)
  2. Rhosan ar wy -> Ross on wye
  3. Caergloyw - Gloucester (possible co-evolution, though glou from gloyw (shining))
  4. Moelfryn -> Malvern (Now in England)
  5. Sylatyn -> Selattyn (taken into England after Act of Union, 1536)
  6. Afon Colunwy -> River Clun
  7. Cwmdŵr - Golden Valley
  8. Pen Bedw - Birkenhead
  9. Cilgwri - Wirral
  10. Ynys ->Ince (Cheshire)
  11. Llwydlo - Ludlow 
  12. Llynlleifiad - Liverpool
  13. Môr Hafren -> Severn Sea
  14. Dwfr -> Dover
  15. Pontyffraith -> Pontefract
  16. Gwendwr -> Wendover (possibly) 
  17. Penybont -> Pembridge (Herefordshire) 
  18. Ceintun - Kington (co-evolved) 
  19. Fforest Ddena - Forest of Dean

10 comments:

  1. So the English name 'Ludlow' is a 'needless corruption' of Welsh 'Llwydlo'? Ha!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I really appreciate your professional approach. These are pieces of very useful information that will be of great use for me in future.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Would have helped enormously if you had put the literal Welsh translation into English. Perhaps.... xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Casnewydd ar Wysg = Newport on Usk, not Wye

    ReplyDelete
  5. Croesoswallt - Oswestry. Also once in Wales but now England

    ReplyDelete
  6. ebbw vale also known as pen-y-cae

    ReplyDelete
  7. Didn't see Penybont mentioned - the one between Abertawe and Caerdyf.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Rhydaman -> Ammanford (somehow an extra 'm' was added) - Ammanford was a name decided by committee as "Cross" wasn't distinctive enough, human error added the extra M, Rhydaman was the Welsh version chosen. The extra M then seems to have traveled up the Amman(!) Valley: Glanamman, Brynamman etc

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wregsam ( originating from Ty Wraig Sam ) to Wrexham.

    ReplyDelete
  10. How long has Llanilltud Fawr been horribly bastardised to Llantwit Major? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete