The Celtic toponymy of Galicia is the whole of the ancient or modern place, river, or mountain

names A name is a term used for identification by an external observer. They can identify a class or category of things, or a single thing, either uniquely, or within a given context. The entity identified by a name is called its referent. A persona ...

which were originated inside a Celtic language, and thus have Celtic

etymology Etymology ()The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998) – p. 633 "Etymology /ˌɛtɪˈmɒlədʒi/ the study of the class in words and the way their meanings have changed throughout time". is the study of the history of the Phonological chan ...

, and which are or were located inside the limits of modern Galicia.

Ancient Celtic toponyms

Casa reconstruida do castro de Santa Tegra

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 Gaius Plinius Secundus (AD 23/2479), called Pliny the Elder (), was a Roman author, naturalist and natural philosopher, and naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and a friend of the emperor Vespasian. He wrote the encyclopedic '' ...

Ptolemy Claudius Ptolemy (; grc-gre, Πτολεμαῖος, ; la, Claudius Ptolemaeus; AD) was a mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, geographer, and music theorist, who wrote about a dozen scientific treatises, three of which were of importanc ...

...), or in

epigraphic Epigraphy () is the study of inscriptions, or epigraphs, as writing; it is the science of identifying graphemes, clarifying their meanings, classifying their uses according to dates and cultural contexts, and drawing conclusions about the wr ...

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 ,Koch (2006) p. 790 from Proto-Celtic *brigs, with its derivative , 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. * Aediobri: From a votive inscription to the god . To *aydu- 'fire' or *(p)ētu- '(grass)land, territory', and *brixs 'hill(fort)'. Cf. Irish 'hill' and Welsh 'crest', 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/Welsh ''awel'' 'wind'. * Adrobricam urbem: City of the Artabri. To *brig- 'hill(fort)'. * Alanobricae –

Eiras Eiras is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Carlos Eiras (1932–2013), Argentine alpine skier * Carolina Eiras (born 1969), Argentine alpine skier * Jorge Abelardo Eiras (born 1942), Argentine alpine skier * Jorge Carlos Eiras

in San Amaro *

Albiones The Albiones or Albioni were a Gallaecian people living the north coast of modern Spain in western Asturias and eastern Galicia mentioned by Pliny the Elder. They are generally included in maps of Roman Spain. The name ''Albiones'' is also attes ...

:Luján (2006) p. 723. A people living in between the rivers Navia 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'.Prósper (2008) p. 37. * Aunios:Curchin (2008) p. 111. An island on the Atlantic Ocean, modern Ons. To Celtic *auni-, of unclear meaning and etymology.

Hydatius Hydatius, also spelled Idacius (c. 400 – c. 469) was a late Western Roman writer and clergyman. The bishop of Aquae Flaviae in the Roman province of Gallaecia (almost certainly the modern Chaves, Portugal, in the modern district of Vila Real), h ...

mentions a local people called ''Aunonenses'', confronted with the

Suevi The Suebi (or Suebians, also spelled Suevi, Suavi) were a large group of Germanic peoples originally from the Elbe river region in what is now Germany and the Czech Republic. In the early Roman era they included many peoples with their own names ...

newcomers in the 5th century. * Berisamo:Curchin (2008) p. 118. A hillfort of the Cileni. Probably to the superlative *Bergisamo- 'The highest one'.Prósper (2002) p. 360. * Beriso: A hillfort of the Cabarci, probably to the comparative *Bergiso- 'The higher one'. * Bonisana:Falileyev (2007) s.v. 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 Coruña A Coruña (; es, La Coruña ; historical English: Corunna or The Groyne) is a city and municipality of Galicia, Spain. A Coruña is the most populated city in Galicia and the second most populated municipality in the autonomous community and s ...

( in 971 CE). From *brigant- 'relevant, powerful'. See also: Proto-Celtic *''

Briganti __NOTOC__ Briganti is the Proto-Celtic term for Brighid, or Brigid. The name ''*Brigantī'' means "The High One", cognate with the name of the ancient British goddess Brigantia (goddess), the Old High German personal name ''Burgunt,'' and the S ...

''. * Callaecia 'The land of the Callaeci', to *kallā- 'wood' with a local complex suffix -āik-. Later it became ''Gallicia'', modern '' Galicia'' or ''Galiza''. * Calubriga:Curchin (2008) p. 119; Luján (2006) p. 728. 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 An endonym (from Greek: , 'inner' + , 'name'; also known as autonym) is a common, ''native'' name for a geographical place, group of people, individual person, language or dialect, meaning that it is used inside that particular place, group, ...

based on the *kelt- theme also present in a series of Hispano-Celtic names: CELTIATUS, CELTIATIS, ARCELTI, CONCELTI, CELTIUS. * Cistonia:Curchin (2008) p. 120. 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

Celanova Celanova is a town and municipality located in the province of Ourense, Galicia, Northern Spain. Situated near the border with Portugal, the municipality is bordered by Ramirás, Cartelle, A Merca, A Bola, Verea and Quintela de Leirado. The A ...

, most probably the capital of the Coelerni. To *koyl- and *brigā. * Copori: A people dwelling in central Galicia, from the confluence of the

Sar SAR or Sar may refer to: Places * Sar (river), Galicia, Spain * Sar, Bahrain, a residential district * Sar, Iran (disambiguation), several places in Iran * Sar, Tibet, Tibet Autonomous Region of China * Šar Mountains, in southeastern Europe ...

and Ulla rivers in the west, until

Lugo Lugo (, ; la, Lucus Augusti) is a city in northwestern Spain in the autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Galicia (Spain), Galicia. It is the capital of the Lugo (province), province of Lugo. The municipality had a 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

Tambre Tambre is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about north of Venice and about east of Belluno. Tambre borders the following municipalities: Aviano, Barcis, Budoia, Caneva, Chies d' ...

river. To *eburo- 'yew'. * Ebronanto (

Valerio of Bierzo Valerio of Bierzo (or Valerius of Bierzo; c. 630–c. 695Liz Herbert McAvoy, (2010), ''Anchoritic Traditions of Medieval Europe'', page 93. Boydell & Brewer ) was an ascetic hermit and monk from the Bierzo region of Visigothic Spain. A number of hi ...

, ''Ordo Cerimonialis'', c. 650). A state near modern

Rubiá Rubiá is a municipality in the Spanish province of Ourense Ourense (; es, Orense ) is a city and capital of the province of Ourense, located in the Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Galicia (Spain), Galicia, northweste ...

. To *Eburo-nantu 'Yew-Valley'. * Equasei: A people living in southern Galicia. To *ekʷo- 'horse'.cf. Matasovic (2009) s.v. Cf. Old Irish ''ech'' 'horse'. * Ercoriobri:Luján (2006) p. 728. A hillfort of the Albiones. A composite with first element *(p)are-koro- 'blow, shot' (cf. Old Breton ''ercor'' 'blow, stroke'), or *Ēri-corio- 'army/tribe of the west', and *brixs 'hill / hillfort'. * Gigurri: A people living in actual

Valdeorras Valdeorras is a comarca in the Galician Province of Ourense. The overall population of this local region is 25,500 (2019). Municipalities *O Barco de Valdeorras, capital of the comarca *O Bolo *Carballeda de Valdeorras *Larouco * Petín * A ...

. From *Gigur-yo, maybe 'the gander (people)'. Cf. Old Irish ''gigrann'' 'gander'. * Glandomirum: To *glendos- 'valley, shore'. * Iria: modern

Padrón Padrón () is a ''concello'' ( Galician for municipality) in the Province of A Coruña, in Galicia (Spain) within the comarca of O Sar. It covers an area of 48.4 km², is 95 km from A Coruña and 23km from Santiago de Compostela. , ha ...

. To *(p)īweryā- 'Fertile land'. Cognate to ''

Éire () is Irish for "Ireland", the name of both an island in the North Atlantic and the sovereign state of the Republic of Ireland which governs 84% of the island's landmass. The latter is distinct from Northern Ireland, which covers the remainde ...

'' and '' Ériu''. * Laniobriga:Curchin (2008) p. 123. 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. To *(p)lānyobrigā 'Hillfort of the Plain'. * Laniobre: Bishopric during the 7th century. To *(p)lānyobrixs. *

Lemavi The Lemavi were an ancient Gallaecian Celtic tribe, living in the center-east of the modern Galicia, in the Monforte de Lemos's county. See also *Pre-Roman peoples of the Iberian Peninsula This is a list of the pre- Roman people of the Iberian ...

: A people inhabiting the valley of

Lemos Lemos is a Portuguese-language surname. It can be also Greek (Λεμός). Notable people by that name include: Portuguese surname * Álvaro Lemos (born 1993), Spanish professional footballer. * Amanda Lemos (born 1987), Brazilian mixed martial ...

. To *Lēmawoi ‘The Elm people’, to *lēmo- 'elm'. * Limia:Curchin (2008) p. 113 River, modern gl,

Limia ''Limia'' is a genus of livebearing fishes belonging to the Cyprinodontiform family Poeciliidae, which includes other livebearers such as platys, swordtails (genus ''Xiphophorous''), guppies and mollies (genus ''Poecilia''). They are found i ...

or pt, Lima, near to its sources it became a large lagoon or marshy area, today desiccated. From *līmā- 'flood'.cf. Ward (1996) s.v. Cf. Welsh ''llif'' idem. * Lubri: 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, 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:Curchin (2008) p. 113 Largest river in Galicia, modern gl, Miño or pt, Minho. 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''. * Navia: River, still known under the same name today. To *nāwiā- 'boat (vase, bowl)'.Delamarre (2003) s.v. nauson. * Nemetobriga: Probably the capital of the Tiburi, in SE Galicia. To *nemeto- 'sanctuary' and *brigā 'hill(fort)'. See:

Nemeton A nemeton (plural: nemeta) was a sacred space of ancient Celtic religion. Nemeta appear to have been primarily situated in natural areas, and, as they often utilized trees, they are often interpreted as sacred groves.Koch, p. 1350. However, other ...

. *

Nerii The Nerii were an ancient Gallaecian Celts, Celtic tribe, living in the north of modern Galicia (Spain), Galicia, in the Costa da Morte region. Celtici Nerii are mentioned for the first time on a tombstone on the grave of a Galician nerio called Tá ...

: A Celtici tribe dwelling near or around today's Fisterra. To *nero- 'hero'. * Novium: A town sometimes considered to be modern Noia. From *nowyo- 'new'. * Ocelum: A town, near

. To *ok-elo- 'promontory'. * Olca: A castle by

Rodeiro Rodeiro is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra Pontevedra (, ) is a Spanish city in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula. It is the capital of both the '' Comarca'' (County) and Province of Pontevedra, and of t ...

, in the highlands of middle Galicia. To *(p)olkā 'arable lands'. * Olina: A town. To *olīnā- 'elbow, angle'. * Ontonia: 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. *

Seurri The Seurri were an ancient Gallaecian Celtic tribe, living in the center-east of modern Galicia, in the Sarria's county. See also *Pre-Roman peoples of the Iberian Peninsula This is a list of the pre-Roman people of the Iberian Peninsula (the R ...

: 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

. To *tamo- 'dark'. * Trileukon: A promontory, modern ''Punta dos Aguillóns'' or ''Cabo Ortegal''. To *trīs- 'three' or 'very', and *louko- 'bright, shining'. * 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 Mountains, a mountain range, usually more than 2000 meters high, running from Galicia till Cantabria. To *windo- 'white', so 'The White (mountains)'.

Britonia

In the 5th or 6th centuries a colony of Britons settled in northern Galicia, and their bishops-abbots attended several councils, first of the Suebic Kingdom of Galicia, and later of the

Visigoths The Visigoths (; la, Visigothi, Wisigothi, Vesi, Visi, Wesi, Wisi) were an early Germanic people who, along with the Ostrogoths, constituted the two major political entities of the Goths within the Roman Empire in late antiquity, or what is ...

Toledo Toledo most commonly refers to: * Toledo, Spain, a city in Spain * Province of Toledo, Spain * Toledo, Ohio, a city in the United States Toledo may also refer to: Places Belize * Toledo District * Toledo Settlement Bolivia * Toledo, Orur ...

, until the 8th century. A series of place-names have been attributed to them: * A Bertonía: A hamlet in

Sober In cryptography, SOBER is a family of stream ciphers initially designed by Greg Rose of QUALCOMM Australia starting in 1997. The name is a contrived acronym for ''S''eventeen ''O''ctet ''B''yte ''E''nabled ''R''egister. Initially the cipher wa ...

. * Bertoña: A village in

A Capela A Capela is a municipality in province of A Coruña in the autonomous community of Galicia in north-western Spain. It is located in the comarca of Eume. It has a population of 1,238 inhabitants (INE, 2018) and a population density of 24.81 inha ...

. It was the centre of a region called ''Britonia'' up until the 11th century, comprising the modern municipalities of

and Moeche. Several other places were called Britonia in the neighbourhood. * Bretoña: A village in Barro. * Bretoña: A parish and a town in

A Pastoriza A Pastoriza is a municipality in the Spanish province of Lugo. It has a population of 3,911 (Spanish 2003 Census) and an area of 175 km². It belongs to the Terra Chá region. In this county the most important river in Galicia begins an ...

. 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

, in the Middle Ages.

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 Rías Altas (also called "Upper Rias") is the northernmost of three sections of '' A Costa do Marisco'' (the Seafood Coast) in Galicia, Spain. It extends from the port of Ribadeo to Santa Cruz. The Upper Rias refers to the coast of the northern ...

region around

, 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, to *(p)are-auso- 'cheek'. *

Bergantiños Bergantiños is a comarca in the Galician Province of A Coruña. The overall population of this local region is 70,698 (2005). Populated places * Buño * Cabana de Bergantiños * Carballo *Coristanco *A Laracha *Laxe *Malpica de Bergantiños *P ...

(''Bregantinos'', 924): Region, to *brigantīno-Matasovic (2009) s.v. 'king', or to *brigantigno-, both etymons would have yielded the same result. Cf. Middle Welsh ''brenhin'' 'king'. *

Carnota Carnota is a municipality of northwestern Spain in the province of A Coruña, autonomous community of Galicia. It belongs to the comarca of Muros. It has an area of 66.4 km2, a population of 5,285 (2004 estimate) and a population density of ...

(''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 Vilarmaior () is a municipality in the province of A Coruña in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain. It belongs to the comarca of Betanzos Betanzos () is a municipality in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwes ...

. To *karn- 'pile, heap',Moralejo 2010, 106. with a hypocoristic suffix. * CéltigosMariño Paz, p. 32. (''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: :Céltigos, a village, in Sarria. :Céltigos, a parish, in Frades. :Céltigos, a parish, in Ortigueira. * Cervantes: Mountainous country and municipality in eastern Galicia. To *kerbo- 'pointed, sharp'.Moralejo 2010, 107. * Entíns (''Gentines'', 1110), a parish in Outes, anciently a much larger region: From *gentīnos 'prince; chief of a kinship', cognate with Gothic ''kindins'' 'governor'. *

Larouco Larouco is a municipality in Ourense (province) in the Galicia region of north-west Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' ( ...

(Latin ''Larauco''): A 1400-metre-high mountain, in Baltar; also a municipality and a parish by the

Sil SIL, Sil and sil may refer to: Organizations * Servis Industries Limited, Pakistan * Smithsonian Institution Libraries * SIL International, formerly Summer Institute of Linguistics * Apex Silver Mines (former American Stock Exchange ticker symb ...

river; there is also a village under the name Larouce, in

O Carballiño O Carballiño is a municipality in the Spanish province of Ourense Ourense (; es, Orense ) is a city and capital of the province of Ourense, located in the Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Galicia (Spain), Galicia, no ...

. Probably from *(p)lārHw-ko-, a derivative of 'plain/field'. Cf. Old Irish ''lár'' 'ground, surface, middle'. *

(''Lemabus'', 841 CE): A large valley, south of

. Its name is an evolution of the name of the

people, who inhabited these lands. To Celtic *lēmo- 'elm'. *

Nendos Nendos 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 in ...

(''Nemitos'', 842): Region and ancient territory, to Celtic *nemeto- 'sacred place, sanctuary', and 'privileged person'. * Tambo (''Tanao'', 911): Small island in Pontevedra 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. Others have lost its pre-Latin name, but its old namewas recorded in Medieval scriptures: * AmbíaBascuas (2008) p. 531 (''Ambia'', 949 CE): A tributary to the Arnoia. To Proto-Celtic *ambe- 'river'.Delamarre (2003) s.v. * Barbanza: A short mountain river in A Coruña province, to *b^hr̥u̯-n̥ti̯-ah₂‑ 'boiling > waterfall'. * Chonia: Tributary of the

Tambre River The Tambre is a coastal river that crosses Galicia, in northwestern Spain. Its basin covers . The river flows through the province of A Coruña; the municipalities along its course are Sobrado, Curtis, Vilasantar, Boimorto, Mesía, Frades, Ar ...

. 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 Arbo may refer to: Places * Arbo, Pontevedra, a municipality in Galicia, Spain * Arbo, Mardin (Turkish: ''Taşköy''), a Syriac village in Turkey * Arbo, Georgia, a village in Georgia People * Aribo of Austria (c. 850 – 909), or Arbo, margr ...

and

A Cañiza A Cañiza is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra with an area of 108.1 km² and a population approaching 5,200 inhabitants in 2018 distributed across 9 parishes. A Cañiza is part of the ''comarca A ''comarca'' ...

, the second through

Pontedeva Pontedeva is a small municipality in Ourense in the Galicia region of north-west Spain. It is located to the very west of the province A province is almost always an administrative division within a country or sovereign state, state. The term ...

(literally 'Bridge-upon-Deva'). To Celtic *dēwā 'goddess'. There is also a small village called Deva in

Cervantes, Lugo Cervantes is a municipality in the comarca of Os Ancares, in the province of Lugo, Galicia, Spain. It had a population of 1,973 in 2005, and has an area of 277 square kilometres. Its highest point is Mustellar (1924 m), in the Ancares mount ...

. Cf. also rivers

Deva Deva may refer to: Entertainment * ''Deva'' (1989 film), a 1989 Kannada film * ''Deva'' (1995 film), a 1995 Tamil film * ''Deva'' (2002 film), a 2002 Bengali film * Deva (2007 Telugu film) * ''Deva'' (2017 film), a 2017 Marathi film * Deva ...

in Asturias and river Dee, Wales, ancient Dēva. * Dubra (''Dubria'', 1110 CE), affluent of the

. From Proto-Celtic *dubrā- 'dark', which in several Celtic languages developed semantically into the substantive 'water'. The municipality of

Val do Dubra Val do Dubra is a municipality in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain in the Province of A Coruña. It belongs to the comarca of Santiago Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest cit ...

('Dubra's Valley') receives its name from this river. Compare with the Asturian Dobra, and the rivers ''Douvres'' in France and Dover in England. * Landro:. River which flows through the town of Viveiro into the

Bay of Biscay The Bay of Biscay (), known in Spain as the Gulf of Biscay ( es, Golfo de Vizcaya, eu, Bizkaiko Golkoa), and in France and some border regions as the Gulf of Gascony (french: Golfe de Gascogne, oc, Golf de Gasconha, br, Pleg-mor Gwaskogn), ...

. To *(p)lān- '?River of the plane', or to *land- 'open land (valley)'. *

: To Celtic *līmā- 'flood', 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): Probably to *mandus 'pony'. * Mendo (''Minuete'', 964 CE): 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: 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 Gándaras'' also bore the same name in the past (''Nantoni'', 955 CE). * Navia: 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'. Another river, a tributary of the

river born by the 1700 meters high mountains of ''Serra de Queixa'', in the

province of Ourense Ourense (in Spanish, ''Orense'') is a Spanish province, in the southeastern part of the autonomous community of Galicia. It is bordered by the provinces of Pontevedra to the west, Lugo to the north, León and Zamora, (which both belong to Cas ...

, is also named Navea. Fervenza do Ézaro

* Samo: A tributary of the

. To Celtic *sāmo- 'calm, easy, pleasant'. Cf. Middle Irish sám 'idem'. *

: Ancient ''Tamaris''. To *tamo- 'dark', so 'Dark river'. Cf. the British rivers Tamar (ancient ''Tamarus''),

Thames The River Thames ( ), known alternatively in parts as the River Isis, is a river that flows through southern England including London. At , it is the longest river entirely in England and the second-longest in the United Kingdom, after the R ...

(''Tamesis'') and ''Tamius''. Another two Galician rivers bear closely related names (both to *Tam-ikā): Tâmega (''Tamice'', 982):Monteagudo (1999) p. 305 Tributary of the Douro; 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'. * ''Río Grande'', a tributary of the Eo river, was attested as Alesantia in 775: To *Alisantiā as, for example, the rivers

Elsenz Elsenz is a river of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It passes through Sinsheim and flows into the Neckar in Neckargemünd. See also *List of rivers of Baden-Württemberg A list of rivers of Baden-Württemberg, Germany: A * Aal * Aalbach *Aalen ...

, Auzance,

Alrance Alrance (; oc, Alrança) is a commune in the Aveyron department in the Occitanie region of southern France. The inhabitants of the commune are known as ''Alrançais'' or ''Alrançaises'' Geography Alrance is located some 30 km west of Mil ...

in Germany and France. The old name is preserved in the name of a village ''As Anzas''. Related:

Esgos Esgos is a municipality in the province of Ourense in the Galicia region of north-west Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra' ...

, a municipality in Ourense, from ''Alesgos'' (ancient names of the local river), from *Alisikos. * Río Xallas, 60 km long river which flows into the Atlantic Ocean at

Ézaro Ézaro (officially known as ''O Ézaro (Santa Uxía)'') is a parish part of the municipality of Dumbría, in the province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia of northwestern Spain. It belongs to the comarca of Fisterra. It ha ...

, attested as ''Esar'' during the Middle Ages: To *isar-, as the rivers

Isère Isère ( , ; frp, Isera; oc, Isèra, ) is a landlocked department in the southeastern French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Named after the river Isère, it had a population of 1,271,166 in 2019.River Aire in England,

Isar The Isar is a river in Tyrol, Austria, and Bavaria, Germany, which is not navigable for watercraft above raft size. Its source is in the Karwendel range of the Alps in Tyrol; it enters Germany near Mittenwald and flows through Bad Tölz, Munic ...

in Germany,

Ésera The Ésera (), is a tributary of the Cinca in the High Aragon. It is part of the valley of the Ebro and its drainage basin. Its etymology is Celtic and it is cognate with several European rivers: Isar, Jizera, Isère, Isel, IJssel The IJssel ...

in NE Spain.

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 The Iron Age is the final epoch of the three-age division of the prehistory and protohistory of humanity. It was preceded by the Stone Age (Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic) and the Bronze Age (Chalcolithic). The concept has been mostly appl ...

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

Breton Breton most often refers to: *anything associated with Brittany, and generally ** Breton people ** Breton language, a Southwestern Brittonic Celtic language of the Indo-European language family, spoken in Brittany ** Breton (horse), a breed **Ga ...

and

Welsh Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, referring or related to Wales * Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales * Welsh people People * Welsh (surname) * Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peop ...

languages ''bre'' 'hill'. Some of these toponyms are: * Bérgoa: village in Ponteareas, and Bregua, village in

Culleredo Culleredo is a municipality of northwestern Spain in the province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. Culleredo is located on the outskirts of A Coruña and its population is mainly formed of commuters. It is located in the cent ...

. From ''Bergula'', to Proto-Celtic *berg- 'hill'.Moralejo 2010, 104-105. * Bergaña: village in

Valdoviño Valdoviño is a municipality in the province of A Coruña in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain. It is located in the comarca of Ferrol. Valdoviño has a population of 6,926 inhabitants (INE, 2011). Geography The gra ...

. To Proto-Celtic *brig- 'hill'. * Bergaza, Bergazo: several villages in Quiroga, Coles,

O Corgo O Corgo, is a municipality in the Spanish province of Lugo Lugo (, ; la, Lucus Augusti) is a city in northwestern Spain in the autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Galicia (Spain), Galicia. It is the capital of the Lugo ( ...

, and a hill in

Xove Xove is a municipality of Galicia, Spain in the province of Lugo. Geography Punta Roncadoira (Roncadoira Point) is the location of the Punta Roncadoira Lighthouse on the Atlantic The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world ...

. To Proto-Celtic *brig- 'hill'. * Berganzos: place in

. To Proto-Celtic *brig- 'hill'. * Brión: several villages in Boiro, Rianxo,

Malpica de Bergantiños Malpica de Bergantiños (or simply Malpica) is a municipality of northwestern Spain in the province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It is located from the provincial capital of A Coruña. The church of Santiago de Mens stan ...

and Outes, a parish in

Ferrol Ferrol may refer to: Places * Ferrol (comarca), a coastal region in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain * Ferrol, Spain, industrial city and naval station in Galicia, Spain ** Racing de Ferrol, an association football club * Ferrol, Romblon, municipality in ...

, and several other places and hills all along Galicia, including a municipality. To Proto-Celtic *brig- 'hill'. * Briallo: A pair of villages, in

Cesuras Cesuras was a municipality of northwestern Spain in the A Coruña (province), province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia (Spain), Galicia. It is located in the comarca of Betanzos. On June 6, 2013, the Xunta de Galicia governme ...

and

Ponteceso Ponteceso is a municipality of northwestern Spain in the province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It belongs to the comarca A ''comarca'' (, or , or ) is a traditional region or local administrative division found in P ...

. Also the plural Briallos, a parish in

Portas Portas is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra. Parroquias It is made up of four parroquias (parishes): * Briallos (San Cristóbal) * Lantaño (San Pedro) * Portas (Santa María) * Romay (San Julián), home to the ...

and a village in

Pantón Pantón 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 w ...

. To *brig- 'hill', with a pre-Latin suffix -alyo-, or a Latin one -aculo-. * Alcabre: A parish in

Vigo Vigo ( , , , ) is a city and Municipalities in Spain, municipality in the province of Pontevedra, within the Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Galicia (Spain), Galicia, Spain. Located in the northwest of the Iberian Penins ...

. To *Alko-bris 'Elk-Hill'. * Alcobre (''Arcobre'' in 991): A village in

Vila de Cruces Vila de Cruces is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra Pontevedra (, ) is a Spanish city in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula. It is the capital of both the ''Comarca'' (County) and Province of Pontevedra, and ...

. To *Arcobris. First element can be related to Indo-European *areq- 'to protect, to enclose' (Latin ''arx'' 'fort, stronghold'). * Alxibre: A village in

Riotorto Riotorto is a town located in the Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish c ...

, probably to *Alisibris 'Alder-Hill'. * Anzobre (''Anazobre'', 971 CE; ''Anezovre'', 966 CE): A village in

Arteixo Arteixo () is a municipality in the Province of A Coruña, part of the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain. Its area is 93.76 km2 and its population is 31,005 (2013). Its population density is 317.43 people/km2. It is an i ...

. 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

. First element could be a primitive hydronym *Arno (cf. river

Arno The Arno is a river in the Tuscany region of Italy. It is the most important river of central Italy after the Tiber. Source and route The river originates on Monte Falterona in the Casentino area of the Apennines, and initially takes a s ...

, in Italy). * Añobres: A village in

Muxía Muxía () is a coastal town and municipality in the province of A Coruña in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain. It belongs to the comarca of Fisterra. It is one of the final destinations for pilgrims on the Way of St. Ja ...

. Probably to *ānniyobris 'Ring-hill' (Cf. Old Irish ''ainne'' 'ring'), or to *(p)anyobrixs 'Hill(fort) by the water'. * Baiobre: A village in Arzúa. Probably to *Badyobris 'Yellow-hill'. * Bañobre: Two villages in

Guitiriz Guitiriz () is a City Council known for its destination spa, spa of mineral water in the Terra Chá Region, Lugo, Province of Lugo in North-western Spain. Parishes ''(also known as: "Parroquias")'' # Becín # Buriz # Labrada # Lagostelle # ...

and Miño. First element could be *wāgno- 'Depression, slope, meadow, marsh'. * Barallobre: Two villages in Betanzos and

Friol Friol is a municipality in the Lugo province in Galicia. It is located in northwest Spain. It is bordered on the north by Begonte and Guitiriz, to the south by Palas de Rei and Guntín, to the east by Lugo and Outeiro de Rei and to the west by ...

, and a parish in

Fene Fene is a municipality in the province of A Coruña in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain. It is located to the northeast of Galicia on the Ria of Ferrol. Economy The Navantia Shipyards and services in the parts which ...

(''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 Tordoia () is a municipality in the Spanish province of A Coruña A Coruña (; es, La Coruña ; historical English: Corunna or The Groyne) is a city and municipality of Galicia, Spain. A Coruña is the most populated city in Galicia and the s ...

. First element could be *brito- 'judgement'. * Biobra (''Viobra'', 1252 CE): A parish in

. To *Widubrigā 'Forest/Wood-hillfort'. * Callobre: Two parishes in Miño (it was ''Caliovre'' in 1114) and A Estrada, and two villages in

Oza dos Ríos Oza dos Ríos was a municipality in the province of A Coruña in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain. It belongs to the comarca of Betanzos. On June 6, 2013, the Xunta de Galicia government approved the decree the merger of ...

(it was ''Caliobre'' in 887) and Ortigueira. First element could be *kallī- 'forest' or *kalyo- 'hard'. * Canzobre (''Caranzobre'', 1399 CE): A village in

, to *Carantyobris. First element can be *karant- 'beloved, friend'. * Castrove (''alpe Castovre'' in 1025): A hill near Pontevedra. The first element is difficult, but cf. Gaulish personal name ''Casticus'', and Latin ''castrum'' 'castle'.Prósper (2002) p. 374. * Cecebre (''Zerzebre'', 942 CE): A parish in

Cambre Cambre is a municipality in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain. It is located 12 km from the capital city of A Coruña and ten minutes away from the city's airport, Alvedro. According to ...

. First element can be *kirk- 'ring'., or a zero-grade of *korko- 'swamp'. * Cezobre: A village in

Agolada Agolada is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra. Administration It is divided into 24 parròquies (parishes) with many different patron saints. They are: Agra Agra (, ) is a city on the banks of the Yamuna r ...

. Probably to*Kaytyobris 'Wood-hill'. Note also

Setúbal Setúbal (, , ; cel-x-proto, Caetobrix) is a city and a municipality in Portugal. The population in 2014 was 118,166, occupying an area of . The city itself had 89,303 inhabitants in 2001. It lies within the Lisbon metropolitan area. In the ti ...

, in Portugal, ancient ''Caetobriga''. * Cillobre: Two villages in

and Touro. The first element can be *kēlyo- 'companion', so 'Companion-Hill(fort)'. * Ciobre: A village in Narón. The first element can be *kiwo- 'fog'. * Coebre (''Colobre'', 935 CE): A village in

. The first element can be *kʷolu- 'wheel' * Cortobe: A village in Arzúa, maybe to a first element *corto- '?Round' * Fiobre: A village in

Bergondo Bergondo is a municipality in province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto ...

. The first element can be an evolution of *widu- 'wood'. Note the Portuguese inscription ''NIMIDI FIDUENEARUM HIC''. * Illobre: A village in Betanzos and a parish in

Vedra Vedra is a municipality in the Spanish province of A Coruña in the autonomous community eu, autonomia erkidegoa ca, comunitat autònoma gl, comunidade autónoma oc, comunautat autonòma an, comunidat autonoma ast, comunidá autónoma ...

. The first element can be *īlyo- 'swollen'. 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'. * Ixobre: A village in

Ares Ares (; grc, Ἄρης, ''Árēs'' ) is the Greek god of war and courage. He is one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Hera. The Greeks were ambivalent towards him. He embodies the physical valor necessary for success in war b ...

. Probably to *Isyo-bris.Prósper (2002) p. 378. Its first element would be *iso- 'fast, powerful' (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'. * Laxobre: A village in

. 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

Trazo Trazo is a municipality of northwestern Spain in the province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It is located in the comarca de Ordes. The Tambre River on the south serves as a boundary with the Santiago de Compostela mu ...

, ancient Lentobre ('uilla que ab antiquis uocitabatur Lentobre et nunc uocitatur Ostulata, subtus castro Brione', 818 CE).Prósper (2002) p. 375. To *Lentrobrixs '?Hillfort by the Slope', to *lentrā 'slope', cf. Welsh ''llethr'' idem. * Lestrobe: Two villages in

Dodro Dodro is a municipality of northwestern Spain in the province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It is located along with lower reaches and at the mouth of the Ulla river, which is a continuation of the Ría de Arosa A ri ...

, and

. 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

, from *Magyobris 'Great Hill(fort)'. * Montrove, village in Oleiros. Probably a Latin and Celtic hybrid meaning, literally, 'hill-hill'. *

O Grove O Grove (alternative spelling: ''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 ...

(''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 Pontedeume,

Mondoñedo Mondoñedo () 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. Despite being the core ...

, and

Taboada Taboada, 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 ( Ribeira Sacra). With a population of over t ...

. * Obre: A parish in Noia (it was ''Olobre'' in 1113) and another one in

Paderne Paderne may refer to: ;In Portugal :*Paderne, Albufeira, a parish in the municipality of Albufeira :*Paderne (Melgaço), a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Melgaço :*Castle of Paderne, a 12th-century fortification located in the c ...

. The first element can be *olo- 'behind, beyond'. * Ombre (''Anobre'', 971): 5 villages in A Coruña province (in Pontedeume,

O Pino O Pino is a municipality of northwestern 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. Several of the runways of San ...

, Miño and Brion) at or near the banks of the Tambre, Mero and Eume rivers; from Proto-Celtic *fano- 'water: swamp' . * Pezobre: A parish in

Santiso Santiso is a municipality of northwestern Spain in the province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community eu, autonomia erkidegoa ca, comunitat autònoma gl, comunidade autónoma oc, comunautat autonòma an, comunidat autonoma ast, comun ...

. 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

. First element could have multiple origins, but maybe to *(p)rasn-yo- 'share, part'. * Sansobre: A village in

Vimianzo Vimianzo is a municipality of northwestern Spain in the province of A Coruña in the autonomous community of Galicia. It forms part of the comarca of Terra de Soneira. The city is bounded on the north by the municipalities of Camariñas, Laxe a ...

. Probably to *Sent-yo-bris,Prósper (2002) p. 379. where the first element is either Celtic *sentu- 'path', or *sentiyo- 'neighbour', or even *santo- 'separated'. * Sillobre (''Siliobre'', 830 CE): A parish in

. First element is probably *sīl 'descendant, seed'. * Xiabre: A hill in

Catoira Catoira is a municipality in Galicia, Spain, located in the province of Pontevedra. Catoira is famous for its ruins of the Torres do Oeste (Towers of the West). Demography Local festivals The most important celebrations include: *the Viking ...

. To *Senābris 'Old Hill(fort)', where the first element is Celtic *senā- 'old (she)'. Cf. Sanabria, ''Senabria'' in 929. * Trobe (''Talobre'', 914 CE): A parish in

. To *Talo-bris, cf. *talu- 'forehead, protuberance', *talamon- 'ground'. * Tallobre: A village in

Negueira de Muñiz Negueira de Muñiz is a town in the province of Lugo, Galicia, northern Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(Eng ...

. 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'. * Tragove, a town in a peninsula in

Cambados Cambados is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra. It is known for its historical monuments, its seafood and the 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

Vienna en, Viennese , iso_code = AT-9 , registration_plate = W , postal_code_type = Postal code , postal_code = , timezone = CET , utc_offset = +1 , timezone_DST ...

. * Boebre (''Volebre'', 922 CE): A parish in Pontedeume. 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

Avión Avión is a municipality in the Spanish province of Ourense. It has a population of 1,910 (2016) and an area of 121 km². The town is the summer retreat of Spanish-Mexican millionaire Olegario Vázquez Raña who has hosted Mexican billionai ...

, to Celtic *berg-is-amo- 'the highest one'. * Ledesma: A parish in

Boqueixón Boqueixón () is a municipality in the province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain. It has a population of 4,445 inhabitants (INE INE, Ine or ine may refer to: Institutions * Institut für Nukleare Entsor ...

, in a plain by the Ulla river. To Celtic *(p)let-is-amā 'the broadest one'. * Bama (''Vama'', 912 CE): A parish in Touro, to *u(p)amā 'the lowest one'. * Bamio: A parish in

Vilagarcía de Arousa Vilagarcía de Arousa is a Municipalities of Spain, Spanish municipality in the Province of Pontevedra, Galicia (Spain), Galicia. As of 2014 it has a population of 37,712, being ninth largest town in Galicia. History The present site of Vilaga ...

, to *u(p)am-yo '(relative to) the lowest one'. * Méixamo: A village in

Navia de Suarna Ponte da Proba

Navia de Suarna is a municipality in Lugo province in G ...

, to *māysamo- 'the greatest one', or to magisamo- 'the largest one'. * Sésamo:Prósper (2005) p. 282. A parish in

. To *seg-is-amo- 'The strongest one'. The same origin have Sísamo, parish in

Carballo Carballo is a municipality in the north western region of Spain in the province of A Coruña, in the Autonomous community of Galicia, Spain and seventeenth overall in the country. It belongs to the Comarca of Bergantiños. The seafood company ...

. * Osmo (''Osamo'', 928 CE): A parish in Cenlle, 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

and Pontevedra 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 Boiro. * To Proto-Celtic *arganto- 'silver, shining': Arganzo, a village in

Mañón Mañón (), also registered in the past as ''Maañón'' , is a municipality in north-western Spain in the province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It belongs to the comarca of Ortegal. Ferrolterra's population represents th ...

, to *Argantyo-. Cf. Old Breton ''argant'', Cornish ''argans'' 'silver'. * To Proto-Celtic *bend- 'protruding peak': Bendaña, medieval ''Bendania'', parish in Touro. Bendoiro, medieval ''Bendurio'', parish in

Lalín Lalín is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the north of the province of Pontevedra. It's the capital of the region of the Deza. The town has a population of 20,158 inhabitants (2014).http://www.ige.eu/igebdt/esq.jsp?paxina=002003001&c=-1&ru ...

. * To Proto-Celtic *brīwā 'bridge':Matasovic (2009) s.v., Delamarre (2003) s.v. Bribes, a parish in

(''Brivis'', 1154 CE), and a village in

. Formally a Latin plural locative meaning '(where) the -'. Also,

Dumbría Dumbría is a municipality of northwestern Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , nat ...

, a municipality, ancient ''Donovria''. There are several ''Brives'' in France. * From Proto-Celtic *dūno- 'fort':

, town, parish and municipality. It was ''Donobria'' in 830, from *Dūnobrīwā. * From Proto-Celtic *duro- 'door': Salvaterra de Miño, which ancient name was Lacedurium (991 CE). * From Proto-Celtic *īsarno- 'iron': Isorna, a parish in Rianxo. * From Proto-Celtic *kambo- 'crooked, twisted': Camboño (''Cambonio'', 1157), parish in Lousame. * From Proto-Celtic *kanto- 'a hundred': Cantoña, a parish in

Paderne de Allariz Paderne de Allariz is a municipality in Ourense in the Galicia region of north-west Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' ...

and two villages, in Teo and

O Porriño O Porriño (historically known in English as ) is a municipality in Galicia (Spain), Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra (province), Pontevedra. An industrial town, in the Vigo metropolitan area, it is an important economic dependency. ...

. * From Proto-Celtic *karanto- 'friend, beloved': Carantoña, two parishes in Miño (''Carantonia'', 1096) and

. A village in Lousame (''Carantonio'', 1157). Carantos, village in

Coristanco Coristanco is a municipality of northwestern Spain in the province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It belongs to the comarca of Bergantiños. Notable people * Rubén Iván Martínez (born 22 June 1984), known simply as Rub ...

. * From Proto-Celtic *kerbo- 'pointed, sharp': Cervaña, parish in

Silleda Silleda is a municipality in Galicia, Spain in the province of Pontevedra. Access The town is adjacent to the N-525 road that connects Ourense with Santiago de Compostela, and 40 km from the Galician capital, Santiago. It also has acc ...

. * From Proto-Celtic *lem- 'elm': Lemaio (to *Lēmawyo-), parish in Laracha. * To Proto-Celtic *mrg- 'territory':

(''Calamber'' in 959) municipality, parish and town. Also, a parish in

, and a village in

; Oimbra (''Olimbria'' in 953), municipality, parish and town; Pambre, a parish in

Palas de Rei Palas de Rei is a town in the province of Lugo, Galicia in northwestern Spain. It belongs to the comarca of A Ulloa. According to the INE INE, Ine or ine may refer to: Institutions * Institut für Nukleare Entsorgung, a German nuclear rese ...

(''Palambre'' c. 1009) and a village in

Ramirás Ramirás is a municipality in Ourense in the Galicia region of north-west Spain. It lies towards the south-west of the province A province is almost always an administrative division within a country or sovereign state, state. The term derives ...

. * From Proto-Celtic *nantu- 'stream, valley': Nantes, parish in Sanxenxo; Nantón, a parish in

Cabana de Bergantiños Cabana de Bergantiños or Cabana is a municipality in the Province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain. It used to be known as ''Cesullas''. Main sights * Castro de Borneiro: an Iron Age hillfort. * Dol ...

and a village in

A Baña A Baña is a municipality in the province of A Coruña in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain. It is 52 kilometers from the provincial capital of A Coruña. It has an area of 98.63 km², a population of 4,888 (2004 estim ...

. * From Proto-Celtic *(p)lār- 'floor': Laraño, a parish in Santiago de Compostela (''Laranio'', 1201), and a village in

. Laranga (to *Laranicā 'Of the plain') village in

Porto do Son Porto do Son () is a municipality of northwestern Spain in the province of A Coruña, in the autonomous community of Galicia. The municipality of Porto do Son encompasses a collection of coastal towns and villages in from including the town of ...

. * From Proto-Celtic *(p)let- 'broad, wide': Ledoño, parish in

. * From

PIE A pie is a baked dish which is usually made of a pastry dough casing that contains a filling of various sweet or savoury ingredients. Sweet pies may be filled with fruit (as in an apple pie), nuts ( pecan pie), brown sugar ( sugar pie), swe ...

*plew- 'to flow, swim', with Celtic treatment of p and -ew- > -ow-: Loentia (''Luentena'', 11th century),

Castro de Rei Castro de Rei, is a municipality in the Spanish province of Lugo. It is located in the autonomous community of Galicia and belongs to the region of the Terra Chá. The population in 2009 was 5,685 people according to INE INE, Ine or ine may r ...

; Loenzo (two places, in Carballo, A Coruña and

). * From Proto-Celtic *salō- 'ocean': Seaia (''Salagia'' in 830), village in

, and the name of an ancient coastal region comprising the actual municipalities of

and

. 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': Bendia (''Vendena'' in 1037),

; Bendoiro (''Vendurio'' in 978),

.Ares (2014) pp. 161-164.

Notes

References

* * * Bascuas, Edelmiro (2006). ''La Diosa Reve y los trasancos''
Estudios Mindonienses (22)
801-842. * Bascuas, Edelmiro (2008). ''La hidronimia de Galicia. Tres estratos: paleoeuropeo, celta y latino''
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521-550. * * * Curchin, Leonard A. (2008
Estudios Gallegos ''The toponyms of the Roman Galicia: New Study''
CUADERNOS DE ESTUDIOS GALLEGOS LV (121): 109-136. * Delamarre, Xavier (2003) ''Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise''. Editions Errance. . * * Falileyev, Alexander (2007) ''Dictionary of Continental Celtic Place-Names''. Unpublished.
Map
* Koch, John T., ed. (2006) ''Celtic culture: A historical encyclopedia''. ABC-CLIO 2006. . * Luján Martínez, Eugenio R. (2006
''The Language(s) of the Callaeci''
e-Keltoi 6: 715-748. * Mariño Paz, Ramon (1998). ''Historia da lingua galega''. Sotelo Blanco. . * Matasovic, R. (2009). ''Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Celtic''. Brill. . * Monteagudo, Luis (1999
''Hidronimia gallega''
Anuario Brigantino (22): 255-314. * Moralejo, Juan J. (2007
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A Coruña: Fundación Barrié. 2007. . * Moralejo, Juan J. (2010
''Topónimos Célticos en Galicia''
Palaeohispanica (10): 99-111. * Prósper, Blanca María (2002). ''Lenguas y religiones prerromanas del occidente de la península ibérica.'' Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca. . * Prósper, Blanca María and Francisco Villar (2005). ''Vascos, Celtas e Indoeuropeos: Genes y lenguas.'' Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca. . * Prósper, Blanca María (2008)
''En los márgenes de la lingüística celta: los etnónimos del noroeste de la Península Ibérica y una ley fonética del hispano-celta occidental''
Palaeohispanica (8): 35-54. * Vallejo Ruiz, José María (2009
''Viejas y nuevas cuestiones de lengua en el occidente peninsular: el lusitano y la onomástica''
PALAEOHISPANICA (9): 271-289. * Ward, A. (1996). ''A Checklist of Proto-Celtic lexical Items''
Online at Scribd.
* Young, Simon (2002). Britonia: camiños novos. Noia: Toxosoutos. .

Other resources

Aquén. Toponimia Galega.
A localizer.
Inventario toponímico da Galicia medieval.
Medieval toponyms of Galicia.
Toponimia de Galicia.
Official site on toponymy. {{DEFAULTSORT:Celtic Place-Names In Galicia Galicia Galician words and phrases Galician etymology Galicia Places Galicia