Names of Places and their Meaning
Welsh Names
Rhayader – Waterfall,
Welsh: Rhaeadr Gwy – Waterfall on the Wye
I have heard a variety of local Welsh pronunciations for Rhayader,
Rye-ard-er
Rye-adder
Ray-a-da
Ree-adder
Dorothy always called it Rare-der
Over the border in England it is pronounced Ray-da, Raid-er or Rider.
Cwmdeuddwr– land between 2 rivers,
Welsh: Llansanffraid Cwmteuddwr - Church of St Bride by the
land between 2 rivers
Local pronunciations
Kum-tyeth-er
Kum-dye-vror
Dorothy always pronounced it Kum-tie-ther
Gwardolau – Upper meadows
Dderw – Oaks
Cefnllys – Manor on a ridge
Fron – the breast or side of a hill, Welsh: Vron
Llanddewi Velfrey - Church of St David in Velfrey (an old
Welsh administrative area)
Welsh: Llanddewi Efelffre
Penblewin - Pen translates as Head and Blewin translates as Hair.
Herefordshire Names
Stoke Prior - Stoke is from the Old English 'Stoc' and means, outlying farmstead or hamlet. Prior refers to belonging to the Prior of Leominster.
Leominster - the Celtic name for the district Leon or Lene, from lei to flow, plus the English word minster, meaning a community of clergy. Pronounced, and for a long time spelt, Lemster.
Widgeon Hill – Widgeon are small ducks.
Cobnash - Possibly 'Cobba's Ash-tree.
Baron’s Cross – Supposed meeting place of the Barons before confronting King John at Runnymede and forcing him to sign the Magna Carta.
Kimbolton - Cynebald's tun (farmstead or village).
Dewsall – Dewi’s Well (St David’s Well).