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

Griffithstown. — This village was named after a Mr. Griffiths, who now resides in the place.Grosmont. — This name signifies a mount marked by a cross. English name — Crossmount.Henllys. — Hen, old, ancient; llys, a court, a hall, a palace. Various courts (llysoedd) were held in oldentimes called Llys y brenin, the king's court; llys benadur, the principal court; llys breyr, a court baron; henllys,old court. English name — Oldcourt.Kemeys. — A gross mutilation of Cemaes, which is a compound of cefn, ridge, high; and maes, a field;signifying a high place forming a vantage ground for military operations. English name — Highfield.Llanarth. — A compound of llan, church; and garth, a promontory, a ridge; signifying a church built on a highplace. English name — Hillchurch.Llanbadoc. — A corruption of Llanfadog, from the dedication of the church to St. Madog. Madog is derivedfrom mad, a good, a benefit. Madog, goodly. English name — Goodchurch.Llandegfeth. — From the church being dedicated to St. Tegwedd. Tegwedd signifies one of a nobleappearance. English name -- Nobleton.Llandogo. — Dogo is a corruption of Odoceus, the name of the saint to whom the church is dedicated.English name — Odoceus.Llanddewi Rhydderch. — The church was built or founded by Rhydderch, Richard, one of the threegenerous princes of Britain, and dedicated to St. David. English name — Richardston.Llanellen. — From the church being dedicated to St. Ellen. English name — Ellenston.Llanfaches. — From Maches, a saint of the sixth century, and a daughter of Gwynlliw Filwr, who sufferedmartyrdom here at the hands of the Saxons. Mach means a bail, a surety. English name — Bailton.Llanfair Discoed. — The church is dedicated to St. Mary, and is situated at is-y-coed, below the wood;hence the name. Dis, as a prefix, sometimes implies privation or negation, and is equivalent to the English imand un; so if discoed be the right wording, the name signifies the church of St. Mary in a woodless place.English name — Maryston.Llanfapley. — The name signifies a church dedicated to Fabiali, son of Brychan Brycheiniog. English name— Fabialton.Llanfethrin. — A corruption of Llan-Gwytherin, the church being dedicated to St. Gwytherin. Gwytherinmeans golden vein, or the bright or splendid vein. English name — Brightchurch.Llanfihangel Crucorney. — Llanfihangel, St. Michael's church; crug-craig, rock; corn, horn; and gwy, water;the name signifying a church' built on an elevated place on the horn of the water. The village is situated onthe river Monnow, overshadowed by the mountain Skyrrid Fawr. English name — Cragton.Llanfihangel - near - Usk. — Llanfihangel, St. Michael's church. The place is situated about six miles northwestfrom the town of Usk. The river Usk forms the boundary of the parish on the south. English name — St.Michael-near- Usk.Llanfoist. — Foist is probably a corruption of Faith, Llanfey, Pembroke, according to some, is Llanyffydd,Fanum Fidei, the church of the Faith. It is spelt in some ancient documents Llanfaith and Llanfeth. IagoEmlyn thinks that the Normans translated it into Llanfoi, foi being French for faith. If so, it may easily havebeen changed into Llanfey, Lamphey, and Llanfoist. English name — Faithchurch.Llangattwg-Llingoed. — The church is dedicated St. Cattwg. Llingoed may be a compound of Hi, stream;yn, the; coed, wood; signifying a stream in the wood. Or the prefix may be llain, a slip or long narrow place;llain o dir, a slip of land; the name, therefore, signifying St. Cadoc's church on a narrow field near the wood.We adopt the former. English name — Stream-wood.Llangwm. — The name signifies a church in the combe or vale. English name — Churchvale.Origin of Place-names in Wales & Monmouthshire Page 78