Place-Names Derivation – ABER, BRYN, CWM, PONT
THE DERIVATION AND MEANING OF PLACE-NAMES
We’ll now look at some common elements in Welsh Place-names.
ABER
I’m sure you’ve seen this element in many placenames. The word ‘aber’ means ‘the confluence of two waters’ and because so many places containing this word are situated on the coast, it is often translated as ‘estuary’. ‘Aber’ usually precedes the name of the river. There are plenty of examples from which to choose – Abertawe (Swansea), Aberafan, Aberaeron, Aberdaron, Aberdyfi, Aberystwyth.
But some places are situated inland and, in such names, ‘aber’ translates as ‘the confluence of two rivers’ – where one river flows into another – eg
Abercynon – the confluence of the rivers Cynon and Taf.
Aberdâr – the confluence of the rivers Cynon and Dâr.
Aber-fan – the confluence of the rivers Taf and Fan
Aberhonddu (Brecon) – the confluence of the rivers Wysg (Usk) and Honddu.
The name Abertridwr is an interesting one. It is made up of three elements -aber – confluence, tri – three, dŵr – water.
It refers to the confluence of three streams – Ilan, Cwm-parc and Cwmceffyl.
This element is seen in placenames in many different parts of Britain – where the Celts have left their mark – Aberdeen, Aberfeldy etc.
BRYN
‘Bryn’ is the Welsh word for ‘hill’ and the element that follows it can be an adjective or a geographical position – eg
Bryn-mawr – big hill
Bryn-teg – fair hill
Brynna – hills – from the plural form ‘bryniau’
Bryn-glas – blue (i.e. green, verdant) hill
Brynbuga (Usk) – the hill of Buga. The identity of Buga is lost.
Brynaman – the hill near the river Aman
CWM
‘Cwm’ is the Welsh word for ‘valley’. It is often seen in English place-names with Anglicized spelling -‘coombe’ and it is also used in its Welsh form as a mountaineering term.
Cwm-bach – little valley
Cwmafan – valley of the river Afan
Cwmbrân – valley of the river Brân
Cwm-du – black,dark valley
Cwm-ffrwd – valley of the swift flowing stream
Cwm-yr-Eglwys – valley of the church
Cwm y Glo – valley of the charcoal
PONT
‘Pont’ is the Welsh word for ‘bridge’.
Pontardawe – bridge on (the river) Tawe
Pontarddulais – bridge on ( the river) Dulais
Pont-y-Clun – bridge on ( the river ) Clun
Pont-Rhyd-y-Fen – bridge at the ford of the wagon.
(Traditionally the ford was known as ‘rhyd-y-fen’ as
it was used by wagons. It was eventually replaced by the bridge.)
Pen-y-Bont ar Ogwr (Bridgend) – end of the bridge (over the river) Ogwr
Two local place-names are worth a special mention.
Y Bontfaen (Cowbridge) – the stone bridge.
The Welsh name refers to a stone bridge whereas the English name refers to the bridge over which the cows walked to the market – the Cow Bridge. It is possible that these were two different bridges.
Pontypridd – As it stands this name translates as ‘bridge of soil, earthen bridge’. But the present name is a contraction of the original name which was ‘Pont y Tŷ Pridd’ which translates as ‘the bridge (near) the earthen house’.
Next month – the last contribution – Caer, Pen, Tre, Ystrad, Ynys.
Ann. M. Jones