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

DENBIGHSHIRE.Anglicized form of Dinbych, which is variously derived. Dimbach, according to some, is the right etymon,which means " no hook," in allusion to the time when fishing hooks were obtainable in the place. Dimbeck,no sin, is another attempt. Very many favour the mythological derivation — Syr John y Bodie and theformidable bych. Having killed the bych, dragon, he shouted victoriously dim bych, no dragon. One writerderives it from din, a hill, and pych, the enveloped sin. Another suggests din, a hill, and buck, live stock,cattle, or kine. Is it not Dinbach ? Din, a hill ; bach, little or small. The last derivation is amply supported bythe geographical position of the place, being a small hill in comparison with the loftier eminences that towerabove it. The county derives its name from the town. English name — Hillock.Abergele. — This pleasant market town is so called from its situation near the mouth of the river Gele. Theriver, according to some, derives its name from gele, leech. A considerable number of leeches were seen atthe estuary in olden times. But we are inclined to think the word is a contraction of geleu, ooze, so calledfrom the very nature of the water. English name — Oozemouth.Bontnewydd. — A compound of pont, a bridge, and newydd, new. English name — Newbridge.Brymbo. — Brym is a corruption of bryn, hill. Bo, according to some, is an abbreviation of the word boda, thekite, which is supposed to have made this place a favourite place of refuge at times of peril. We rather thinkthe suffix to be a contraction of bwa , a bow. The name has special reference to a severe battle fought in thevicinity, when our forefathers used the bow as the chief weapon of war. English name — Bowhill.Brynkinallt. — A compound of bryn, a hill; cyn f prior; gallt, a woody slope. The name implies that amountain existed before the trees that grew on it. English name — Hillwood.Bodrhychwyn. — Bod, a dwelling; Rhychwyn, the name of the son of Ithel Hael, who is supposed to havetaken up his abode here. English name — Furrowton.Bwlchcynbryd. — Bwlck, a gap, breach, pass; Cynbryd, the name of a saint of the fifth century, supposed tohave been killed by the Saxons at the place which bears his name. English name — Model Pass.Bangor-Iscoed. — For the derivation of Bangor, see Carnarvonshire. The place is considered to be the siteof the most ancient and extensive monastery founded in Britain, which afterwards became a great centreplaceof learning. The differentia iscoed was evidently appended to distinguish it from Bangor,Carnarvonshire. English name — Underwood.Cefn Mawr. — The name signifies a high ridge, so called to distinguish it from Cembychan, which is in closeproximity. English name — Highridge.Cristionydd. — The name means a worshipper of Christ, a Christian. English name— Christianham.Chirk. — Probably from Ceiriog, its ancient name. The town is in close proximity to the river Ceiriog.Clog Caenog. — Clog, a detached rock; caenog, having a cover enclosed. Caenen, a covering. There aresome excellent quarries of stone in this mountainous district, and some parts of it abound with heaths.English name — Heathton.Ceryg-y-Drudion. — A corruption of Ctryg-y-Dewrion, the stones of the champions or warriors, so calledfrom a large heap of stones that stood, a century or two ago, near the church in memory of some celebratedwarriors. Some think drudion is a corruption of druydion, druids; hence the interpretation would be "stones ofthe Druids." English name— Warrior-stone.Derwen. — The name means an oak, so called, probably, from the abundance of oaks in the district. Englishname— Oakham.Dolwen. — Dol, a. meadow; wen, feminine form of gwyn, white. English name — White Meadow.Eglwys Bach. — Eglwys, church; Bach, the name of the son of Corwel, who took refuge in North Wales inthe seventh century, devoted himself to religious life, and founded a church on the banks of the Conwy;Origin of Place-names in Wales & Monmouthshire Page 46