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

English name — Ervylton.Llanymechain. — Mechain is a compound of ma, a place; and cain, fair, the name of the river on which thechurch is situate. This parish is famous for being the birth-place of Gwallter Mechain, in 1761. English name— Fairchurch.Llanfihangel-yn-Ngwynfa. — The church is dedicated to St. Michael, and the village is situated in that partof Powys called Gwynfa, the blessed place; hence the name. English name — Blisston.Llanymynach. — Mynach here is probably a corruption of mwnau, mines. The ch is frequently added toplural nouns ending with au. Mwnau is the right word, but it is colloquially pronounced mwnach. The placeprobably derives its name from the mines in which the district formerly abounded, and which were worked soearly as the Roman period. Some think the word is mynach, monk, from the supposition that a monk livedsome time in the vicinity. English name — Mineschurch.Llansantffraid. — From St. Ffraid, to whom the church is dedicated. English name — Fraidham.Llanwddyn. — The church was probably dedicated to a monk named Wddyn, who, according to tradition,lived in a sequestered spot in the neighbourhood. English name — Monkchurch.Llanwrin. — From Gwrin, to whom the church is dedicated. English name — Heroton.Llandrinio. — Trinio is the patron saint of the church. English name — Bustleton.Llanllwchhaiarn. — From Llwchhaiarn, to whom the church is dedicated. English name — Ironchurch.Llanbrynmair. — Bryn, a hill; Matt, the Virgin Mary. The church is dedicated to St. Mary, and pleasantlysituated on an eminence; hence the name. English name — Hillchurch.Machynlleth. — Some derive the name thus: Ma, a place; chyn, from cain, fair, beautiful llcth, anabbreviation of llethr, a slope. Another derivation: Mack, a high ridge, a barrier; yn, in or on; lletk-llethr, aslope. Edmunds thinks lleth is a contraction of llaith, dead, and that the name signifies " the field of the deadby the wayside." Viewing the situation of the town, we offer the following derivation: Mack, a dam, anembankment, a place; yn, the; lleth, corruption of llaith, moist, humid, wet. English name — Moistham.Mochnant. — Mock, quick, swift; nant, brook; the name of the swift stream that flows through the place.English name — Runbrook.Meifod. — Mai, a plain, or campaign country; bod, a dwelling. The parish consists of an open and extensivetract of land. Or, perhaps, it is a compound of maes, a field; and bod, a dwelling; signifying a dwelling in afield. English name — Plainham.Moughtre. — A corruption of Mochdre. English name— Swineham.Newchapel. — So called from the chapel which is situated on the confines of the parishes of Guilsfield,Llansantffraid, and Meifod, for the accommodation of those who reside at a distance from the parish church.Newtown. — A translation of the Welsh name Trefnewydd. Its ancient name was Llanfair-yn-Nghyd-ewain;but, in consequence of the large flannel manufactories that were built here, the place grew so rapidly that, in1832, the privileges of corporation were bestowed upon it, and henceforth it was called Newtown.Pool Quay. — A village near Welshpool, whence it derives its name..Pennant Melangell. — Pen, head or end; nant brook; Melangell, called in a Latin saint book St. Monacella.Her remains were interred in Pennant Church, which, henceforth, was called Pennant Melan geil. Englishname — Brookton.Penstrowed. — Pen, termination, head; sir owed, perhaps from ystref-wydd, a dwelling among trees; orfrom pen strata, the termination of a Roman road. Compare Stroud (Gloucestershire). English name —Wayton.Origin of Place-names in Wales & Monmouthshire Page 86