handbook of the origin of place-names in wales and monmouthshire

Cam cnwir ef Cwmdu,Cwm gwyn yw & n cwm ni.It is wrongly called the vale of gloom,Ours is a fair and bright comb.A glance at this cheerful vale would never suggest such a gloomy appellation. The ancient name of theparish was Llanfihangd tref Cerriau & or Catrau, from the numerous fortifications there are in it, and thepresent name is supposed to have taken its origin from the black moor-stone rock, which is on the brow of anadjacent hill. Some derive it from Cum De, the south vale, from its being situated in the southern part of thecantrev of Crickhowell. We have instances of du being changed into de and dee, such as Tydu-Tydee, &c,and it might have undergone the same process here. English name — Blackvale.Llanfihangel Nantbran. -- The church was dedicated to St Michael, and is situated on a tributary calledBran. Nant Bran, Bran brook. English name — Branbrook.Llanfilo. — The church is dedicated to Milburg, the eldest daughter of Merwald, King of Mercia, and a saintof the seventh century. Ffynon Villo, a well in the neighbourhood, also preserves her name. English name —Milburg.Llanfrynach. — Brynach, an abbot and confessor, married Corth, the daughter of Brychan. The church wasdedicated to him. English name — Waterhill.Llangammarch. — Some think the name signifies the church upon the river Caenenarck, but the generalopinion is that the church is dedicated to Camenarch, a grandson of Brychan. The river-name is verydescriptive, cam y winding, and arach, a channel, perhaps from the Irish ar to guide or conduct; arwain, tolead. Or arach may be a compound of dr, arable land, and ach, water, hence the name signifies a riverwinding its way through arable land. English name — Meanderton.Llangasty-Talyllyn. — Gastyn was an eminent religious teacher in Brychan's family, and the above churchwas dedicated to him. Talyllyn, the end of the lake, in allusion to the situation of the church. English name —Lakesend.Llangaten. — The church is dedicated to Canten, grandson of Brychan. English name — Canten.Llangattock. — The church is dedicated to Cattwg, grandson of Brychan. English name — Cadoxton.Llangors. — A contraction of Llan-yn-y-gors, the church in the Fen or Marsh. The soil near the lake is verymarshy. The correct name of the lake is Llynsafeddan, the standing water or lake. An old tradition says thatthe lake covers the remains of an ancient and populous city called Loventhm. English name — Marshton.Llangynidr. — St. Cynidr, grandson of Brychan, founded the churches at Llangynidr and Aberyscir, whichwere subsequently dedicated to him and St. Mary. English name — Cynidr.Llanigon. — The old church was dedicated either to Eigen, daughter of Cradoc ab Bran, or to Eigion orEigron, son of Caw, a saint of the sixth century. The present church is dedicated to Nicholas. English name— Nicholaston .Llanilid. — The church was dedicated to St. Hid, and is situated on the banks of the river Crai. English name— Hid.Llanlleonfoel. — Lleon might have a reference to Sam Lleon or Sam Helen, Helen's causeway, a branch ofwhich, it is supposed, passed through the place. The suffix foel signifies a bare tract of land. English name—Helenton.Llanspyddyd. — A corruption, according to some, of Llan-osbaidd-ty, a house of entertainment orrefreshment for guests. In ancient times hospitable mansions were kept by the monks to entertain man andbeast free of charge, and the chief officer therein was called Hosiillarius, whose sole duty was " To welcomethe coming, speed the going guest." It is said that this hospitium was supported by the priory of Malvern.English name — Hospeston.Llanwrtyd. — The church, according to some, is dedicated to St. Wrtyd, but we cannot find the name in "Origin of Place-names in Wales & Monmouthshire Page 22