Category: Proto-Brythonic

Rivers & Stars

By Simon

Words for rivers & stars in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *abonā / *abū = river
Gaulish ambe = river
Old Irish (Goídelc) aub [au̯v] = river
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) abann = river
Irish (Gaeilge) abhainn [əunʲ / əun̠ʲ / oːn̠ʲ] = river
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) abhainn [a.ɪn̪ʲ] = river, stream
Manx (Gaelg) awin [aunʲ / ˈawənʲ] = river
Proto-Brythonic *aβon [aˈβoːn] = river
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) afon = river
Welsh (Cymraeg) afon [ˈaːvɔn / ˈavɔn] = river, stream, brook
Cornish (Kernewek) avon / awon [ˈavɔn] = river
Middle Breton auon = river
Breton (Brezhoneg) aven [ˈɑː.ven] = river

Cwm Idwal

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ep-h₃ōn-, from *h₂ep- (water, body of water) [source].

Proto-Celtic *sterā = star
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) ser = star
Proto-Brythonic *ster = stars
Welsh (Cymraeg) sêr [seːr] = stars
Cornish (Kernewek) ster = stars
Breton (Brezhoneg) ster [ˈsteːr] = stars, river

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂stḗr (star), from **h₂eh₁s- (to burn) [source]. It’s possible that the Breton word for ster comes from two different roots, and the river one is not cognate with words for star in other Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Land, Parishes & Enclosures

By Simon

Words for land, parish, enclosure in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *landā = (open) land
Gaulish landa = land
Old Irish (Goídelc) land, lann = building, house, land, plot, plate
Irish (Gaeilge) lann [l̪ˠaun̪ˠ / l̪ˠɑːn̪ˠ / l̪ˠan̪ˠ] = land, ground, site; building, house, church (obsolete/archaic)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) lann [l̪ˠaun̪ˠ ~ l̪ˠan̪ˠən] = enclosure, enclosed area, precinct; repository; house, church
Manx (Gaelg) lann = enclosure, habitation
Proto-Brythonic *lann [ˈlanː] = land, open land, plot
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) llann = land
Welsh (Cymraeg) llan [ɬan] = (parish) church, monastery, heaven, churchyard, enclosure, yard
Cornish (Kernewek) lann [lan:] = yard
Breton (Brezhoneg) lan = church

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogoch

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *lendʰ- (land, health) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Houses and Dwellings

By Simon

Words for house, dwelling in Celtic languages.

Gleann Cholm Cille

Proto-Celtic *tegos = house, dwelling
Old Irish (Goídelc) tech [tʲex] = house
Irish (Gaeilge) teach [tʲax / tʲæːx] = house, habitation, dwelling, public building
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) taigh [tɤj] = house
Manx (Gaelg) thie = house
çhagh [tʃax] = house
Proto-Brythonic *tɨɣ = house
Old Welsh tig = house
Welsh (Cymraeg) tŷ [tɨː / tiː] = house, home, cell, chamber, place of worship
Old Cornish ti = house
Cornish (Kernewek) chi / chy [ʧi:] = house
Old Breton tig = house
Breton (Brezhoneg) ti = house

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)teg- (cover, roof) [source], which is also the root of the words stegosaurus, toga, tile and thatch [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Castles & fortresses

By Simon

Words for castles and fortresses in Celtic languages.

King John's Castle / Caisleán Luimnigh

Proto-Celtic *dūnom = stronghold
Old Irish (Goídelc) dún [duːn] = fort, fortress
Irish (Gaeilge) dún [d̪ˠuːnˠ] = fort; fortress; place of refuge, haven; residence, house; promontory fort; bluff
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) dùn [duːn] = fortress, heap
Manx (Gaelg) doon [duːn] = fort, fastness, stronghold, bastion, earth fort, dun, fortified rock
Proto-Brythonic *din [ˈdiːn] = hill, fortified hill, fort
Gaulish dunum, *dūnom = fort
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) din = fort
Welsh (Cymraeg) din [dɪn / ˈdiːn] = city, fort, fortress, fastness, stronghold
dinas [ˈdɪnas / ˈdiːnas] = city, large town; town
Cornish (Kernewek) din [di:n] = fort
dinas [‘dinas / ‘dinɐz ] = fort
Old Breton din = fort, fortress
Breton (Brezhoneg) din = fort, fortress
dinas = bastion, stronghold

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰuHnom (enclosure), from *dʰewh₂- (to finish, come full circle) [source]. The English words down (a (chalk) hill, rolling grassland), dune and town come from the Proto-Celtic *dūnom [source].

Proto-Celtic *katrixs / *katrik- / *kassrik- = fortification, fort
Old Irish (Goídelc) ca(i)thir [ˈkaθərʲ] = stone enclosure, fortress, castle; dwelling; monastic settlement, enclosure; monastery, convent; fortified city, city
Irish (Gaeilge) cathair [ˈkahɪɾʲ/kaːɾʲ] = city; enclosed church establishment, monastic city; circular stone fort; dwelling (place), bed, lair
Cathair an Phápa = Vatican City
cathair chorr = round fort
cathair ghríobháin = maze, labyrinth
cathróir = citizen
cathróireacht = citizenship
ardchathair, príomhchathair = capital city, metropolis
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cathair [kahɪrʲ] = city
cathair-bhaile = city (with city status)
cathair-stàit = city state
Manx (Gaelg) caayr = dwelling place, city

Etymology: unknown. Possibly related to the Old English hēaþor (enclosure, prison) or Serbo-Croatian kȍtar ( country, district) [source].

Proto-Celtic *kagrom = fort
Welsh (Cymraeg) caer [kaːɨ̯r / kai̯r] = fort, fortress, enclosed stronghold, castle, citadel, fortified town or city; wall, rampart, bulwark
Cornish (Kernewek) ker [kɛ:r / ke:r] = fort, fortress, hill fort, city
Breton (Brezhoneg) ker = town, village, villa

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *kagyom (pen, enclosure), from the Proto-Indo-European *kagʰyóm (enclosure, hedge) [source], which is also the root of words for hedge in Germanic languages, such as hedge in English, Hecke (hedge) in German and hæk (hedge, hurdle) in Danish [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc) caisel = fort, castle
Irish (Gaeilge) caiseal = (ancient) stone fort; unmortared stone wall; boundary wall (of church or cemetery); caslte (in chess); spinning top
caisleán [kəˈʃlʲɑːn̪ˠ / ˈkaʃl̠ʲɑːnˠ / ˈkaʃl̠ʲænˠ] = castle, mansion, cumulus (cloud)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) caisteal [kaʃdʲəlˠ] = castle, fort, tower, garrison; turreted mansion
Manx (Gaelg) cashtal = castle, citadel, surrounding wall, bulwark, rook
Welsh (Cymraeg) castell [ˈkʰastɛɬ / ˈkʰastɛɬ] = castle, stronghold; castellated mansion; a kind of cloud; fortified town or city; village
Cornish (Kernewek) kastel = castle, hill fort
Breton (Brezhoneg) kastell = castle, fort, fortress

Etymology: from the Latin castellum (castle, fort, citadel, fortress, stronghold), a diminutive of castrum (fort) [source], from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱes- (to cut, cut off, separate) [source], which is also the root of words for castle in most European languages.

Proto-Celtic *frāti- = fort, rampart
*rāti- = a dugout, a digging
Gaulish ratin = appears in place names
Old Irish (Goídelc) ráth [r͈aːθ] = earthen rampart surrounding a chief’s residence, fort, rath
Irish (Gaeilge) ráth [ɾˠɑː/ɾˠaːx] = earthen rampart, earthen ring-fort, rath, layer (of thatch)
ráthach = having earthen forts
ráth sneachta = snow-drift
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ràth [r̪ˠaː] = (ancient) fortress, mound, (ancient) royal seat; clearing, cleared swathe of land; fortress, barrow, village, town
Manx (Gaelg) raah = rath, ring-fort
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bedd-rawd = cemetery
Welsh (Cymraeg) beddrod = tomb, vault, grave, cemetery
Middle Breton bez-ret = cemetery
Middle Breton bered = cemetery

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *prehzt-i- (field). Possibly cognate with the Latin prātum (meadow) [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec) kyvelchy, gyuyllchi = circular fortress
Welsh (Cymraeg) cyfylchi = a kind of circular stronghold or fortress

Etymology: from cyfwlch (complete, entire, perfect, excellent). Found only in the placenames such as Dwygyfylchi [dʊɨɡəˈvəlχi], a village in Conwy county, which was first recorded as Dwykyvelchy in 1287 [source]. There is also Gyfylchi in the Afan Valley in Neath Port Talbot county [source].

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

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Dwellings

By Simon

Words for dwelling / settlement / town in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *trebā = dwelling
Gaulish Atrebates = name of a tribe
Old Irish (Goídelc) treb = house, farm; household; tribe
Irish (Gaeilge) treibh [ˈtʲɾʲɛv] = house, homestead, farmstead; household, family; tribe, race
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) treabh [tro] = farming village
treubh [treːv] = tribe
Proto-Brythonic *treβ [ˈtrɛːβ] = town, settlement
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) tref [ˈtrɛːβ] = town, settlement
Welsh (Cymraeg) tre(f) [treːv] = town; town centre; dwelling(-place), habitation, residence, home; house (and surrounding land), homestead, farm, estate, cluster of houses; township; tribe
Cornish (Kernewek) trev [trɛ:v /tre:v] = farmsteads (singular: treven)
Old Breton treff = town, settlement
Breton (Brezhoneg) trev = town

Meni Bridge / Porthaethwy

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *treb- (dwelling, settlement) [source].

This is also the root of the archaic English word thorp(e) (a group of houses standing together in the country; a hamlet; a village), which appears in place names such as Milnthorpe and Scunthorpe.

Related words in other languages include German Dorf (hamlet, village, town), Danish torp (village), Swedish torp (farm, cottage, croft), Icelandic þorp (village, farm), and Albanian trevë (country, region, village) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Doctor

By Simon

Words for doctor in Celtic languages.

Irish (Gaeilge) dochtúir [d̪ˠɔxˈt̪ˠuːɾʲ / ˈd̪ˠʌxt̪ˠuɾʲ] = doctor
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) dotair [dɔhdɛrʲ] = doctor, surgeon, physician
Manx (Gaelg) doghtoor = doctor

Etymology: from the Latin doctor (teacher, instructor), from doceō (teach), from the Proto-Italic *dokeō (tell, inform, teach, instruct), from the Proto-Indo-European *deḱ- (to take) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Dictionary of the Irish Language On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic *lī(φ)agi- = doctor
Old Irish (Goídelc) líaig = leech, doctor, physician
Irish (Gaeilge) lia = healer, physician
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) lèigh [ʎeː] = physician, surgeon
lighiche [ʎi.ɪçə] = healer, physician, surgeon
Manx (Gaelg) (fer/ben) lhee = (male/female) doctor, physician

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European lēg(‘)- (doctor), the same root as the English word leech [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Proto-Celtic English Word List, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Dictionary of the Irish Language On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto=Brythonic *meðïg = doctor
Welsh (Cymraeg) meddyg [ˈmɛðɪɡ / ˈmeːðɪɡ] = doctor
Cornish (Kernewek) medhek [mɛðɛk / ‘mɛðɐk] = doctor, physician
Breton (Brezhoneg) mezeg = doctor

Doctor

Etymology: from the Latin medicus (doctor), from medeor (I heal, cure, remedy), from the Proto-Italic *medēōr (to heal), from the Proto-Indo-European *med- (to measure, give advice, heal) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

King

By Simon

Words for king in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *rīxs = king
Celtiberian reikis = king
Gaulish rix = king
Primitive Irish ᚏᚔᚌᚐᚄ (rigas) = king
Old Irish (Goídelc) rí [r͈ʲiː] = king
Irish (Gaeilge) rí [ɾˠiː] = king, sovereign, monarch
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) rìgh [rʲiː] = king, Lord (God)
Manx (Gaelg) ree = king
Proto-Brythonic *riɣ [ˈriːɣ] = king
Old Welsh ri = king
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) ri = king
Welsh (Cymraeg) rhi [r̥iː] = king, prince, lord, ruler, chieftain
Middle Cornish ruy = king, sovereign ruler
Old Breton ri = king

Brian Boru, High King of Ireland (1002-1014)
Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵs (king, ruler) [source], which is also the root of the German word Reich (empire, realm), and the English suffix -ric, as in bishopric (a diocese or region of a church which a bishop governs) [source].

The Gaulish word rix appears in names such as Vercingetorix, Dumnorix and Asterix.

Proto-Celtic *brigantīnos = (someone) pre-eminent, outstanding
Proto-Brythonic *brɨɣėntin [brɨɣe̝nˈtiːn] = lord, king
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) breenhin = king
Welsh (Cymraeg) brenin [ˈbrɛnɪn / ˈbreːnɪn] = king, sovereign, monarch, head of region
Middle Cornish brentyn / bryntyn = king
Old Breton brientin / brientinion = king

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *bʰerǵʰ- (to rise; high, lofty; hill, mountain) [source],.

Welsh (Cymraeg) mechdeyrn, mychdeyrn, machdeyrn = king, lord, monarch, emperor, God, tributary prince, viceroy
Cornish (Kernewek) metern [mə’tɛrn] / myghtern [mɪx’tɛrn] = king
Old Breton machtiern = king

Etymology
From the Welsh mach (surety, guarantor, sponsor, hostage) and teyrn (sovereign, monarch, king) [source],.

Source: Gerlyver Kernewek, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru

Middle Breton roe = king
Breton (Brezhoneg) roue = king

Etymology
From the French roi (king), which comes, via Latin, from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵs (king, ruler) [source].

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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

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Cowherd, boy, child

By Simon

Words for cowherd, shepherd, boy, child in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *boukolyos = cowherd
Old Irish (Goídelc) búachaill [ˈbuːa̯xil͈ʲ] = cowherd, herdsman
Irish (Gaeilge) buachaill [ˈbˠuəxɪlʲ] = boy, young unmarried; herdboy, herdsman; man-servant, male employee; lad
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) buachaill, buachaille [buəçɪlʲə] = herder, herdsman, cowherd, shepherd, youth
Manx (Gaelg) bochilley = shepherd, herdsman
Proto-Brythonic *bʉgöl [bʉˈɡøːl] = herdsman
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bugeil = son
Welsh (Cymraeg) bugail [ˈbɪɡai̯l / ˈbiːɡai̯l] = herdsman, shepherd, guardian, keeper, leader, defender; bishop, priest, pastor, minister
Cornish (Kernewek) bugel [‘bʏgɛl / ‘bɪgɐl] = shepherd, pastor
Middle Breton buguel, bugel = child
Breton (Brezhoneg) bugel = child, pastor, priest

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European gʷowkólos, from *gʷṓws (cow) and *kʷel- (to revolve, move around, sojourn) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Daughter / Girl

By Simon

Words for daughter / girl in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *enigenā = daughter
Primitive Irish ᚔᚅᚔᚌᚓᚅᚐ (inigena) = daughter
Old Irish (Goídelc) ingen [ˈinʲɣʲen] = daughter, maiden, virgin, young woman
Irish (Gaeilge) iníon [ɪˈnʲiːnˠ / ˈɪnʲiːnʲ / n̠ʲiənˠ] = daughter, girl, maiden; (young) woman, Miss
gariníon = granddaughter
iníon deirféar = niece (sister’s daughter)
iníon dearthár = niece (brother’s daughter)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) nighean [ɲiː.an̪ˠ] = daughter, girl, lass
gar-inghean, nighean-mhic = granddaughter
nighean-pheathar = niece (sister’s daughter)
nighean-bhràthar = niece (brother’s daughter)
Manx (Gaelg) inneen [ɪnˈjiːn] = daughter, girl (also written ‘neen / ‘nneen)
oe ‘neen = granddaughter
inneen shayrey = niece (sister’s daughter)
inneen vraarey = niece (brother’s daughter)

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *h₁én (in) + *ǵenh₁- (produce, give birth). [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic *merkā = daughter
Proto-Brythonic *merx = daughter
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) smarach [smɛrəx] = lively person; lad, young man
Welsh (Cymraeg) merch [mɛrχ] = girl, lass; female, (young or unmarried) woman; daughter; female descendant
Cornish (Kernewek) myrgh [mɪrx] = daughter
mergh = daughter
Breton (Brezhoneg) merc’h = daughter, girl, maiden
merc’hig = little girl, daughterling

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *méryos (boy, girl). [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Sons

By Simon

Words for son in Celtic languages.

My sister and her son (my nephew)
My sister and her son (my nephew)

Proto-Celtic *makʷos [ˈma.kʷos] = son
Primitive Irish ᚋᚐᚊᚔ (maqi), ᚋᚐᚊᚊᚔ (maqqi), ᚋᚐᚊ (maq), ᚋᚐᚉᚉᚔ (macci) = son
Old Irish (Goídelc) macc [mak] = boy, bond, surety
macc foesma = adoptive son
macc muine = love child
macc raite = illegimate child
macc tíre = wolf (“son of the land”)
Irish (Gaeilge) mac [mˠɑk / mˠaːk / mˠak] = son, descendent, boy
mac dearthár = nephew (brother’s son)
mac deirféar = nephew (sister’s son)
mac mic = grandson (son’s son)
mac iníne = grandson (daughter’s son)
mac uchta = favourite son, pet; adopted son
mac Dé = the Son of God
mac léinn = student (“son of the learning”)
mac rí = prince
mac tíre = wolf (“son of the land”)
macacht = childhood, youthful state
macán = little son, young boy, youngster, pet child
macánta = childlike, gentle, meek, mild; honest
macántacht = boyhood, childhood; gentleness, meekness, mildness; honesty
macaomh = young person, youth, boy
macaomhact = youth, youthfulness; youthful beauty
garmhac = grandson, adopted son, sister’ son
leasmhac = stepson
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) mac [maxg] = son, offspring
mac-bràthar = nephew (brother’s son)
mac-peathar = nephew (sister’s son)
mac-céile = stepson
mac-màthar = everyone, every man
mac-mallachd = the Devil
mac an duine = mankind, human being
macail [maxgal] = filial, affectionate
mac Dhé = the Son of God
mac-tìre = wolf (“son of the land”)
Manx (Gaelg) mac = son
mac braarey = nephew (brother’s son)
mac shayrey = nephew (sister’s son)
mac braar ayrey = first cousin (father’s brother’s son)
mac braar mayrey = first cousin (mother’s brother’s son)
oe mac = grandson
lhiass vac = stepson
mac mollaght, mac imshee = devil
Gaulish mapos = son
Proto-Brythonic *mab [ˈmaːb] = son
Old Welsh map = son
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) map = son
Welsh (Cymraeg) mab [maːb] = boy, son, infant, child, minor, youth; descendant; man, male
mab anweddog, mab gwedde = bachelor
mab bedydd = godson
mab caru = lover, suitor
mab cynnwys = adopted son
Mab Duw = the Son of God
mab (y) dyn = man, human being, living soul
mab mam = mother’s son, human being, living soul
mab maeth = foster son, foster child
mab yng nghyfraith = son-in-law, stepson
maban = baby, infant, young child, little boy, young son
Old Cornish mab, map = son
Cornish (Kernewek) mab [ma:b / mæ:b] = son, male child, boy
mab meythrin = foster son
mab wynn = grandson
mab den = humankind
mab an pla = devil, annoying man
maban, meppik = little son
Old Breton map, mab = son
Middle Breton mab = son
Breton (Brezhoneg) mab = son
mab henañ = older son
mab yaouañ = younger son
mab-kaer, mabeg = son-in-law
mab-bihan = grandson
mab-den= son of man
mab-lagad= pupil (of the eye)
mabel = filial

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *mh₂ḱwos, from *meh₂ḱ- (to raise, grow) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau