Geese

22nd August 20206th January 2024 By Simon

Celtic words for goose, waterfowl of the genus of the family Anatidae.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*gezdā = goose
Old Irish (Goídelc)	géd = goose
Irish (Gaeilge)	gé [ɟeː] = goose gé ghlas = greylag goose (Anser anser) gé ghiúrainn = barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) cadhan = brent goose (Branta bernicla) gé Cheanadach = Canada goose (Branta canadensis)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gèadh [gʲiəɣ] = goose gèadh-glas = greylag goose cathach [ka.əx] = barnacle goose gèadh-got = brent goose gèadh Canadach = Canada goose
Manx (Gaelg)	guiy = goose guiy glass = greylag goose guiy twoaie = barnacle goose guiy breck = brent goose guiy Canadagh = Canada goose
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guit = goose
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gŵydd [ɡuːɨ̯ð / ɡʊi̯ð] = goose, simpleton gŵydd wyllt (gyffredin) = greylag goose, wild goose gŵydd (g)wyrain = barnacle goose gŵydd ddu brent goose gŵydd Ganada = Canada goose
Old Cornish	guit = goose
Cornish (Kernewek)	goedh = goose goth wyls = greylag goose, wild goose morwoth = barnacle goose goth mannow = brent goose goth kanada = Canada goos
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwaz = goose gwaz louet = greylag goose, wild goose garreli dremm wenn = barnacle goose garreli boutin = brent goose garreli-Kanada = Canada goose

Note: the types of goose mentioned here are commonly found in Celtic-speaking areas. Other types of geese are available.

Here’s a tune I wrote inspired by a couple of geese (pictured above) who used to live on the seashore in Bangor, and who I called Bertie and Gertie: Goosing Around / Gwyddio o Gwmpas

Simon Ager · Goosing Around / Gwyddio o Gwmpas

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, fócloir.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis

Gulls

15th August 202015th February 2025 By Simon

Celtic words for (sea)gull, seabirds of the genus Larus or of the family Laridae.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	wailannā / voilenno- = seagull
Old Irish (Goídelc)	faílenn, foílenn = seagull
Irish (Gaeilge)	faoileán, faoileog = gull, seagull faoileán bán = common gull (Larus canus) faoileán ceanndubh, faoileán an chaipín = black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) faoileán droma duibh = greater black-backed gull (Larus marinus) foillan scadán = (Larus argentatus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	faoileann [fɯːlən̪ˠ], faoileag [fɯːlag] = gull, seagull, common gull faoileann-bheag = common gull faoileann-dubh = black-headed gull faoileann a’ chinn dhuibh = greater black-backed gull faoileann-mhór = herring gull
Manx (Gaelg)	foillan, foilleig, fooilleig = gull, seagull foillan bane = common gull foillan kione doo = black-headed gull foillan saggyrt = greater black-backed gull foillan skeddan = herring gull
Proto-Brythonic	*gwuɨlann = seagull
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwylan = seagull
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwylan [ˈɡʊɨ̯lan / ˈɡʊi̯lan] = sea-gull, sea-mew; fair maiden; glutton gwylan gyffredin = common gull gwylan goes goch / gwylan benddu = black-headed gull gwylan gefnddu = greater black-backed gull gwylan y penwaig = herring gull
Old Cornish	guilan = seagull
Cornish (Kernewek)	golan [ˈɡoːlan / ˈɡʊlɐn] = gull, seagull gwylan gemyn = common gull skraw / skrawik / scraw = black-headed gull gwylan keyn du = greater black-backed gull gwylan hern = herring gull
Old Breton	guilann = seagull
Middle Breton	goelann = seagull
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouelan [ˈɡweːlãn] = seagull gouelan loue = common gull gouelanig maskl du = black-headed gull gouelan bras = greater black-backed gull gouelan gris = herring gull

Etymology: thought to be from the Proto-Indo-European *wáy (oh! ah! woe! alas!), possibly related to *waylos (howler, wolf) [source].

The English word gull comes from the Middle English gulle (gull, water bird) and is thought to have been borrowed from a Brythonic language (Welsh or Cornish) [source].

The French word goéland (gull, herring gull) comes from the Breton gouelan [source].

Note: the types of gulls mentioned here are commonly seen in Celtic-speaking areas. Other gulls are available.

Here’s a song I wrote in Manx and English about seagulls and their love of chips: Spollagyn son tey / Chips for tea

Simon Ager · Spollagyn son tey / Chips for tea

Sources: Wiktionary, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Teanglann.ie, Am Faclair Beag, An etymological dictionary of the Gaelic language, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Online Manx Dictionary, Gaelg Corpus, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Lexicon cornu-britannicum : a dictionary of the ancient Celtic language of Cornwall, Gerlyver Kernewek, Devri : Le dictionaire diachronique du breton, Dictionnaires bilingues de Francis Favereau / Edition Skol Vreizh, TermOfis

Swans

1st August 202017th April 2023 By Simon

Words for swan (cygnus) in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*eli- = swan
Gaulish	ala = swan alauda = skylark
Old Irish (Goídelc)	elu = swan
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ela(e) = swan
Irish (Gaeilge)	eala [ˈalˠə] = swan ealach = frequented by swans eala bhalbh = mute swan (Cygnus olor) eala ghlorach = whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eala [jal̪ˠə] = swan eala bhàn = mute swan eala fhiadhaich = whooper swan ealag, eala-ghlas = cygnet, young swan eala-bheag = Bewick’s (tundra) swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii)
Manx (Gaelg)	olla, ollay = (mute) swan ollay chiaulee = whooper swan eean olla = cygnet
Proto-Brythonic	alarkos = swan
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	alarch = swan
Welsh (Cymraeg)	alarch [ˈalarχ/ˈaːlarχ] = swan, the constellation Cygnus alarchaidd = pertaining to a swan, swanlike alarchen = cygnet alarches = female swan alarchwedd = swanlike alarch dôf, alarch mud = mute swan alarch y gogledd, alarch chwibanol, alarch gwyllt = whooper swan
Old Cornish	elerch = swan
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	elerch = swan
Cornish (Kernewek)	alargh = (mute) swan
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	alarc’h = swan alarc’hez = female cygnet
Breton (Brezhoneg)	alarc’h = swan alarc’h roueel = mute swan alarc’h-kristilh = whooper swan

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁el- (swan, bird, waterfowl) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include alondra (lark) in Spanish, alouette (lark) in French, and allodola (skylark) in Italian. They were probably borrowed from the Gaulish alauda (skylark), from ala (swan) [Source].

Words from the same PIE root include auk (swan) in English, alke (auk) in Danish and Norwegian, and álka (razorbill) in Faroese and Icelandic [Source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Herons

19th July 202016th August 2025 By Simon

Words for heron and related creatures in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	korxsā / korxsiyos = heron, crane
Celtiberian	*cárcia = heron
Gaulish	curcio- = heron
Old Irish (Goídelc)	corr = crane, heron, stork, crane
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	corr = (grey) heron, stork, crane, leg-necked person
Irish (Gaeilge)	corr [kəuɾˠ] = (grey) heron, stork, crane, leg-necked person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	corra [kɔr̪ˠə] = heron, stork, crane
Manx (Gaelg)	coar = heron, stork, crane
Proto-Brythonic	*krɨxɨð = heron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	crychyd, krechydd, crechydd = heron
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crychydd [ˈkrəχɨ̞ð / ˈkrəχɪð] = heron
Old Cornish	cherhit = heron
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cerhidh = heron
Cornish (Kernewek)	kerghydh = heron
Old Breton	corcid = heron
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quercheiz, querch-eïz, querc’heiz, qarc’hleyz kerc’heiz = heron
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kercʼheiz [kɛrˈɣɛjs] = heron

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kreik- / *(s)kreig- (to screech, creak), which is imitative in origin [source]. Words for heron in Galician & Spanish (garza) and Portuguese (garça), probably come from the Celtiberian root [source].

Words from the same PIE root may include reiger (heron) in Dutch, Reiher (heron) in German, häger (heron) in Swedish, heron and egret in English, and haikara (heron, stork) in Finnish [source].

Gaulish	crehyr = heron
Proto-Brythonic	*krexVr = heron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	crehyr, creir, cr(e)yr = heron
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crëyr [ˈkrɛ.ɨ̞r / kreː.ɪr] = heron
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	querhair = heron

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱrey- (to scream, screech) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*garanos = crane
Gaulish	garanus = crane
Proto-Brythonic	*garan = crane, heron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	caran, garan = crane, heron
Welsh (Cymraeg)	garan [ˈɡaran] = crane, heron
Old Cornish	garan = crane
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	garan = crane
Cornish (Kernewek)	garan = crane
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	garan = crane
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	garan = crane
Breton (Brezhoneg)	garan [ˈɡɑː.rãn] = crane (bird, tool), groove, gallery garanadur = grooving garanan = to groove

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gérh₂n-o-s, from *gerh₂- (crane, to cry hoarsely) [source]. Words from the same roots include crack, croon, crow and possibly grouse in English, kraai (crow) in Dutch, Krähe (crow) in German [source].

Pigeons and Doves

11th July 202014th June 2022 By Simon

Words for pigeon and doves in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	columb [ˈkolumb] = dove colmán = wood-pigeon, ring-dove
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	colum [ˈkolumb] = dove
Irish (Gaeilge)	colm [ˈkɔl̪ˠəmˠ / ˈkʌl̪ˠəmˠ] = dove, pigeon colmán = (little) dove, pigeon
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	calman [kal̪ˠaman] = dove, pigeon colman [kɔl̪ˠɔman] = dove, pigeon
Manx (Gaelg)	calmane / colmane = pigeon, dove
Welsh (Cymraeg)	colomen / clomen = dove, pigeon, culver; symbol of peace
Old Cornish	colom = dove, pigeon
Middle Cornish	colomen = dove, pigeon
Cornish (Kernewek)	kolom = dove, pigeon
Breton (Brezhoneg)	koulm / koulom = dove

Etymology: from the Latin columbus (dove, pigeon), from Ancient Greek κόλυμβος (kólumbos – a diver), from κολυμβάω (kolumbáō – dive, plunge headlong, swim) [source].

Breton (Brezhoneg)	pichon = pigeon

Etymology: unknown

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here’s a tune I wrote called The Curious Pigeon / Y Colomen Chwilfrydig:

Simon Ager · The Curious Pigeon / Y Colomen Chwilfrydig

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Birds and Larks

6th June 20206th June 2020 By Simon

Words for bird and (sky)lark in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸetnos = bird
Gaulish	Etnosus = bird(?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	én [eːn] = bird
Irish (Gaeilge)	éan [eːnˠ] = bird, young bird, chick
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eun [ian] = bird, fowl, chicken
Manx (Gaelg)	eean [jiːən] = chick, fowl, young (of birds); juvenile, cheeky child, brat
Proto-Brythonic	edn = bird
Old Welsh	atar = birds
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	edn [ˈɛdn] = bird
Welsh (Cymraeg)	edn [ˈɛdn] = bird, fowl, fly, bee adar [ˈadar] = birds aderyn [aˈdɛrɨ̞n / aˈdeːrɪn] = bird
Old Cornish	hethen = bird
Cornish (Kernewek)	edhen = bird
Middle Breton	ezn = bird
Breton (Brezhoneg)	evn = bird

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *péth₂r̥ (wind, feather), which is also the root of the English word feather [source].

Breton (Brezhoneg)	labous = bird

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc)	uiseóc = lark
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	(f)uiseóg = lark, skylark
Irish (Gaeilge)	fuiseog = lark, skylark
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uiseag [ɯʃag] = lark, skylark
Manx (Gaelg)	ushag [ˈoʒaɡ] = bird, shuttlecock

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic	*alaudā = bird
Gaulish	*alauda [ˈa.lau.daː] = skylark

Etymology: unknown. Also the root of the Latin alauda (lark, skylark), and words for (sky)lark in Romance languages, such as the French alouette, the Spanish alondra and the Italian allodola [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	ehedydd [ɛˈhɛdɨ̞ð / ɛˈheːdɪð] = lark, skylark; flier, one that flies, bird or fowl
Old Cornish	evidit = lark, skylark
Middle Breton	ehuedez = lark, skylark

Etymology (Welsh): from ehedeg (to fly) and -ydd (-er) [source].

Cornish (Kernewek)	ahwesydh = lark, skylark
Breton (Brezhoneg)	alc’hweder = lark, skylark

Etymology: unknown

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Hound Dogs

28th May 202022nd May 2022 By Simon

Words for dog in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*kū = dog, wolf
Gaulish	cuna = dog
Primitive Irish	ᚉᚒᚅᚐ (cuna) = hound, wolf
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cú [kuː] = dog
Irish (Gaeilge)	cú [kuː] = dog, hound, greyhound; wolf; hero, champion
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cù [kuː] = dog, canine
Manx (Gaelg)	coo [kuː] = dog, cur, hound, wolf-dog
Proto-Brythonic	ki [kiː] = dog
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ci / ki = dog
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ci [kiː] = dog, hound, cur
Old Cornish	ci = dog
Cornish (Kernewek)	ki [kiː] = dog
Middle Breton	ci / qui = dog
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ki [kiː] = dog

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱwṓ (dog), which is also the root of the English words hound and canine [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	madrad, matrad = dog
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	matad = common dog, cur
Irish (Gaeilge)	madra [ˈmˠad̪ˠɾˠə] / madadh [ˈmˠad̪ˠə / ˈmˠad̪ˠu] = dog, cur
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	madadh [madəɣ] = dog, mastiff
Manx (Gaelg)	moddey [ˈmɔːðə] = dog, tyke
Welsh (Cymraeg)	madyn / madog = fox

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc)	gagar [ɡaɣər] = beagle, hunting dog
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gadar = beagle, hunting dog
Irish (Gaeilge)	gadhar [ɡəiɾˠ] = (hunting) dog, harrier, beagle, cur
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gadhar [gɤ.ər] = lurcher, mastiff, greyhound

Etymology: from the Old Norse gagarr [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kulēnos = whelp
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cuilén [ˈkulʲeːn] = puppy, cub, kitten
Irish (Gaeilge)	coiléan [kɪˈlʲaːn̪ˠ] = pup, cub, whelp; youth, scion; trickster
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuilean [kulan] = puppy, whelp; cub; seal pup; darling, dear; short/small bone
Manx (Gaelg)	quallian = puppy
Welsh (Cymraeg)	colwyn [kiː] = whelp, puppy, cub; lap-dog; spaniel
Old Cornish	coloin = puppy
Cornish (Kernewek)	kolen [ˈkɔlɪn] = puppy, cub
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kolen = puppy, fawn, rabbit

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cana [ˈkana] = cub, puppy
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cana [ˈkana] = cub, puppy
Irish (Gaeilge)	cana [ˈkanˠə] = cub, whelp; bardic poet of fourth order
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cana [kanə] = puppy, whelp
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cenau / cenaw = cub, whelp, puppy, kitten; son, descendant, scion, young warrior; knave, imp, rascal; catkin, cat’s tail

Etymology: possibly from the Latin canis (dog), from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱwṓ (dog) [source], or from the Proto-Celtic *kanawo (young animal).

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Foxes

23rd May 202024th May 2020 By Simon

Words for fox in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sinnach / sindach = fox
Irish (Gaeilge)	sionnach [ˈʃɪn̪ˠəx / ʃɪˈn̪ˠɑx / ˈʃɪn̪ˠax] = fox
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sionnach [ˈʃun̪ˠəx] / seannach [ˈʃan̪ˠəx] = fox, bagpipe reed
Manx (Gaelg)	shynnagh = fox

Etymology: unknown

Irish (Gaeilge)	madra rua [madəɣ ‘r̪ˠuəɣ] = fox, red fox
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	madadh-ruadh [madəɣ ‘r̪ˠuəɣ] = fox, red fox

Etymology: from the Old Irish madrad (dog) and the rúad (red) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	balgair [bal̪ˠagɛrʲ] = fox

Etymology: unknown.

Proto-Celtic	*loɸernos = fox
Gaulish	*louernos = fox
Old Irish (Goídelc)	loarn = fox
Proto-Brythonic	llowern = fox
Old Welsh	louern = fox
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llewyrn = fox
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llewyrn = foxes
Old Cornish	louuern = fox
Cornish (Kernewek)	lowarn = fox
Old Breton	louuern = fox
Middle Breton	louarn = fox
Breton (Brezhoneg)	louarn [ˈluː.aʁn] / luhern = fox

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₂wlop- (fox) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	llwynog [ˈɬʊɨ̯nɔɡ] = fox, a cunning, craft or willy person, bundle llwynoges = vixen, female fox llwynogyn = little fox

Etymology: from llwyn (bush, shrub, brake, thicket, copse, grove, arbour, woods, forest) and the suffix -og, from Latin lignum (firewood, tree), Proto-Indo-European *leǵ-no- (that which is collected) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	cadno [ˈkadnɔ] = fox; craft person, foxy, deceptive day; bundle of straw used for constructing an air passage in a stack of corn not well-seasoned; skid, scotch, trigger cadnawes = vixen, female fox

Etymology: probably from the personal name Cadno, from cad (battle), from the Proto-Celtic *katus (battle), from the Proto-Indo-European *kéh₃tus (fight); and the suffix -no, from the Proto-Celtic *gnāw- (knowing) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Ants

16th May 202021st March 2024 By Simon

Words for ant and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sengán = ant
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sengán, seangan = ant
Irish (Gaeilge)	seangán = ant seangánach = full of ants nead seangán = anthill
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seangan [ʃɛŋgan] = ant, mean fellow seangan ‘nad bhriogais = to be fidgety, have the jtters (ants in your breeches) seangananach [ʃɛŋganəx] = pertaining to or abounding in small ants
Manx (Gaelg)	sniengan = ant snienganagh = ant-infested, formic crongan sniengan = anthill

Etymology: possibly from the Old Irish seng (thin, slender. meagre) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*morwis = ant
Old Irish (Goídelc)	moirb [morʲvʲ] = ant
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	moirb = ant
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	myr = ant myrion = ants morgrug, morcrug = ants morgrugyn, morcrugyon = ant
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mŷr, myrr [mɨːr/miːr] = ant myrion = ants myrdwyn = anthill morgrug [ˈmɔrɡrɨ̞ɡ / ˈmɔrɡrɪɡ] = ants (from mŷr [ant] and crug [hill]) morgrugyn = ant morgrugaidd, morgrugol = ant-like pertaining to ants, formic
Old Cornish	menƿionen = ant
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	menwionen, meuwionen = ant, emmet
Cornish (Kernewek)	moryonen = ant, tourists moryoner = anteater
Old Breton	moriuon = ant
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	meryen = ant
Breton (Brezhoneg)	merien [ˈmɛr.jɛn] = ants merionenn = ant merionaer = anteater merieneg [mɛ.ˈrjẽː.nɛk] = anthill

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *morwi- (ant). Words from the same roots include formic (pertaining to ants) and pismire (ant – archaic) in English, fourmi (ant) in French, mier (ant) in Dutch, maur (ant) in Icelandic and myra (ant) in Swedish [source].

Deer

7th April 20209th November 2025 By Simon

Words for deer in Celtic languages. There were several different words for deer in Proto-Celtic: *wēdus, *karwos, *ellan(t)ī-, *danī- and *yorkos, and also *sidos (stag). They may have referred to different types of deer, but it is not certain which types, apart from *yorkos, which is a roe deer.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*wēdus [ˈweː.dus] = wild
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fíad [fʲiːa̯ð] = wild animals, game, especially deer
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fíad, fiad = wild animals, game, esp. deer fíadamail = deer-like, wild, uncultivated
Irish (Gaeilge)	fia [fʲiə] = deer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fiadh [fiəɣ] = deer fiadhach [iə.əx] = deer hunting, venision, wildness, wilderness fiadhachadh = deer hunting
Manx (Gaelg)	feeaih, feeaïh = deer, hart feeaihagh = deer hunting feeaihaght = deer hunt

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *weydʰ- (wood, wilderness) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*karwos = deer, stag
Gaulish	*caruus, carvos, caruos** = deer
Old Irish (Goídelc)	carbh = deer
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cairrḟiad, cairrfiadh = stag
Irish (Gaeilge)	carria / cairrfhiadh = deer, stag
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cair-fhiadh / carbh-fheadh = hart, stag
Manx (Gaelg)	çharroo, charroo = stag
Proto-Brythonic	*karw = deer, stag
Old Welsh	*caru = deer
Middle Welsh (kymraec)	caru, carv, keyru, carw, karw = deer, hart, stag carwaidd = having the attributes of a stag, pertaining to a stag, noble, wise carwnaid, karwnaid = stag’s leap, a great leap
Welsh (Cymraeg)	carw [ˈkaru / ˈkaːru] = deer, hart, stag; lord, nobleman, patron carw coch / carw rhudd = red deer, stag carw Llychlyn = reindeer carwfarch = camel, elephant carwfil = stag, camel
Old Cornish	caruu = stag
Middle Cornish	carow = stag
Cornish (Kernewek)	karow = stag, buck, hart, stag karow ergh = caribou, reindeer karow rudh = red deer
Middle Breton	caro, carv, caru = deer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	karv [ˈkarw / ˈkɑːro] = deer, roe deer, red deer karv-erc’h = caribou, reindeer karvez = doe karvig = fawn karvken = deer hide

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱerh₂wós, from *ḱerh₂- (horn) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sidos = stag
Old Irish (Goídelc)	séd = deer
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ség, ség, sedh = deer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hit, hyd, hed, hydd = stag, hart hyddgarw, hawddgar = stag, deer, lord, patron, wise leader, horse hyddgen, hydgen = deer-skin, buckskin hyddgi = buck-hound, stag-hound, greyhound
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hydd = stag, hart hyddaidd = having the attributes of a stag, cervine hyddgarw = stag, deer, lord, patron, wise leader, horse hyddgen, hyddgroen = deer-skin, buckskin hyddgi = buck-hound, stag-hound, greyhound hyddgig = venison
Cornish (Kernewek)	hedh = buck, hart, stag
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	hed = deer, fallow deer
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	heizes, eizec = doe, hind
Breton (Brezhoneg)	heizez = doe, hind heizezig = darling

Etymology: uncertain

Proto-Celtic	ellan(t)ī- / agliones = deer
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ag [aɣ] = bullock, cow, ox, deer, stag
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ag, agh = cow, ox, deer, stag
Irish (Gaeilge)	agh = cow, ox agh alla = deer agh dára = cow, ox
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	agh [ɤɣ] = heifer, hind
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eilon, eilion = deer, hart, stag
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eil(i)on = deer, hart, stag

Etymology: possible from the same root as the English word eland (a type of antelope found in South Africa), which from the Dutch eland (elk), from the Old High German elent.

Proto-Celtic	*ou̯ījkā = ?
Gaulish	cerua = ?
Old Welsh	eguic = hind, deer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eguic, euic, euychet, euchyc, ewic, ewig = deer, hart, stag ewigaidd = pertaining to hind(s), hind-like
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ewig = hind, doe, roe; graceful light-footed woman; deer, hart ewigfa = deer-park
Old Cornish	euhic = hind, deer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ewic, euhic, ewig = hind, deer
Cornish (Kernewek)	ewik = deer, doe, hind ewik ergh = caribou, reindeer ewik gowr = elk, moose ewik rudh = red deer

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ówis (sheep) [source]

Proto-Celtic	*yorkos = roebuck, deer
Gaulish	iorkos, iorcos = deer
Proto-Brythonic	*jorx = deer, stag
Welsh (Cymraeg)	iwrch [jʊrχ] = roe-deer, roebuck
Old Cornish	yorch = roe-deer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	iorch, yorch = roe buck iorches = roe deer
Cornish (Kernewek)	yorgh = roe deer yorghes = (female) roe deer
Old Breton	iorch = roe deer
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	yourch = roe deer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yourc’h [ˈjurx] = roe deer, venison, intrepid boy, wild yourc’hez = (female) roe deer

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *york- (antelope, gazelle) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*danī- = deer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	danys, danas = deer, fallow deer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	danas, danys, daenas [ˈdanas] = deer, fallow deer
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dem = deer, fallow deer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	demm = deer, fallow deer

Etymology: related to the French daim (hind, doe), from the Latin dāma (fallow deer, buck, doe) [source]

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Old Cornish

Geese

Gulls

Swans

Herons

Pigeons and Doves

Birds and Larks

Hound Dogs

Foxes

Ants

Deer