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

hence the name of the place. English name— Littlechurch.Esgair Ebrill. — Esg, a shank, a long ridge, that which stretches out; air, bright, clear; Ebrill, April. Englishname— Aprilridge.Efenechtyd. — A corruption of y fyneichdyd, the monk's land; mynach, monk; dyd or dud, land. Englishname — Monkland.Esclusham. — From esglyw, protection, defence, and ham, a place. The place is in close proximity to Offa'sDyke. English name — Dykeham.Fron. — An inflection of bron, a pointed or breast-shaped hill. English name — Pointhill.Ffrwd. — The name means a stream, a torrent. " Ffrwd yr afon," the stream of the river. English name—Streamton.Glynceiriog. — Glyn, a narrow vale; Ceiriog, the name of the river that flows through the valley. Englishname — Glenceiriog.Garthen. — From gatrddin, fortified bill, so called from an old British camp in the place. In this place OwainGyfeiliog vanquished the Saxons in 1161. English name— Forthill.Gresford. — A corruption of Groesffordd, so called from its close proximity to an old cross. English name—Crossway.Gwersyllt. — The name signifies a camp or encampment. English name — Campton.Gwytherin. — From Sant Gwytherin, to whom the church was dedicated. He flourished about the end of thesixth century. Gwyth- vein; erin gold. English name — Goldton.Gefailrhyd. — Gefail, smithy; rhyd, ford. English name — Smithford,Henllan. — Hen, old; lion, church. A name of frequent occurrence in Wales. The old church, dedicated to St.Sadwrn, was demolished, and re-built in 1806. English name— Oldchurch.Holt. — The Norse for wood, or hold of wild animals. We find Berg-holt in Essex, which means the fortress inthe wood. According to Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary," the ancient name was Castell Lleon, the " castleof the legions," and the present name was probably derived from a family of the name of Holt, who are saidto have held the castle in remote times. English name — Woodby.Llanrhaiadr-yn-Mochnant. — Rhaiadr, waterfall; yn t the; mochnant, quick, swift-brook. According to thisinterpretation, the name signifies a church built near the swift water. Others say that mock means swine, andthat the word nant is applied to the whole valley, inclusive of the brook that flows through it, on the traditionalbelief that the place was some time abounding with wild hogs. The latter is the more plausible andacceptible. English name — Hogham.Llanelian. — From Elian Geiniad, a saint of the sixth century, to whom the church was * dedicated. Elian'sWell is near the village. English name — Elianschurch.Llanegwestl. — From Egwestl, to whom the old church was dedicated. Einion Waun alludes to him in thefollowing couplet : —"Gwra wnair fel Gwair fab G west I,Gwyr wawr yn llawr Llanegwestl."English name — Guestham.id est.:-“Like Gwestyl's son, he lies in gloom profoundIn Valle Crucis Abbey's holy ground”.Llanelidan. — The church is dedicated to St. Elidan. English name — Elidan.Origin of Place-names in Wales & Monmouthshire Page 47