Towns and Tribes

15th April 201910th March 2023 By Simon

Words for dwelling, settlement, town, tribe and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*trebā = dwelling
Gaulish	Atrebates = name of a tribe
Old Irish (Goídelc)	treb = house, farm; household; tribe
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	treb = house, farm; household; tribe
Irish (Gaeilge)	treibh [ˈtʲɾʲɛv] = house, homestead, farmstead; household, family; tribe, race
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	treabh [tro] = farming village treubh [treːv] = tribe
Proto-Brythonic	*treβ [ˈtrɛːβ] = town, settlement
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tref [ˈtrɛːβ] = town, settlement trefad, trevad, treuad, treuat = dwelling(-place), habitation trefan, treuan = small town or city, village, dwelling, abode, manor-house, fort
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tre(f) [treː(v)] = town; town centre; dwelling(-place), habitation, residence, home; house (and surrounding land), homestead, farm, estate, cluster of houses; township; tribe trefad = dwelling(-place), habitation, residence, home, region, domain trefaf, trefu= to dwell, live, settle trefan = small town or city, village, dwelling, abode, manor-house, fort
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tre, trev = dwelling place, homestead, home, town tregva, trigva = dwelling place, habitation trevedic = one from a country village, a country man, rustic
Cornish (Kernewek)	tre [trɛ:/tre:] = farmstead, home, town, village trigva = abode, address, dwelling, resdidence trigys = settled, to reside, live
Old Breton	treff, treb = town, settlement
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tre, trev = town
Breton (Brezhoneg)	trev = town trevour = civil

Etymology: From the Proto-Indo-European *treb- (dwelling, settlement) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root (via Latin) possibly include trobo (beehive, skep) in Galician, and truébanu (beehive, barrel, basket) in Asturian [source].

This is also the root of the archaic English word thorp(e) (a group of houses standing together in the country; a hamlet; a village), which appears in place names such as Milnthorpe and Scunthorpe.

Related words in other languages include Dorf (hamlet, village, town) in German, torp (village) in Danish, torp (farm, cottage, croft) in Swedish, þorp (village, farm) in Icelandic, and trevë (country, region, village) in Albanian [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Bells and Clocks

13th April 201917th September 2022 By Simon

Words for bell, clock and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*klokkos = bell
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cloc = bell
Irish (Gaeilge)	clog [klˠɔɡ] = bell, clock; blowball, (dandelion) clock clogaire = bell-ringer, bellman clogaireacht = bell-ringing clogán = small bell clogarnach = ringing, sound of bells clogás = bell-tower, belfry
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	clag [kl̪ˠag] = bell; crash, loud noise clagach = pertaining to or abounding in bells, bell-shaped clagan = small bell clag-mheur = hand (of a clock) clag-chumach = bell-shaped clag-pìobach = chime clag-lann = belfry, steeple clag-smàlaidh = curfew
Manx (Gaelg)	clag = bell, clock, ball clag aile = fire alarm clag dooishtee = alarm clock clag greiney = sundial
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	klych, cloch = bell
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cloch [kloːχ] = bell, bell-shaped object, bubble; prize, feat; o’clock clochaf, clochi, clocho = to bubble, gurgle, speak loudly, make a loud noise, clamour, shout clochaidd = noisy, resonant, sounding like a bell clochog = noisy, shrill, loud, boisterous, bubbling, boiling clochyrrwr = bell-ringer cloch (a)larwm = alarm-bell, warning bell cloch (y) drws = doorbell
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cloch = bell
Cornish (Kernewek)	klogh [klɔ:x / klo:h] = bell klogh meur = church bell
Middle Breton (brezonec)	cloch, cloc’h, clec’h = bell
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kloc’h = bell kloc’hdi = church tower, steeple, bell tower kloc’h-galv = warning bell kloc’h-skouarn = earring kloc’had = peal of a bell

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *klēg-/*klōg- (onomatopoeia), or from *kleg- (to cry, sound) [source]. English words from the same Proto-Celtic root include clock, cloche and cloak [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Lord, Ruler

9th April 201920th January 2024 By Simon

Words for lord, master, ruler and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	tigerno(s) = lord, master tigernākos = lordly, ruler
Gaulish	Tigernum = placename
Primitive Irish	ᚈᚔᚌᚔᚏᚅ (tigirn) = lord
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tigerna = lord tigernas = lordship
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tigerna = sovereignty, lord, superior, chief tigernach, tigernaide, tigernamail = lordly tigernaid = rules tigernaigid = to rule, dominate tigernas = lordship, dominion, possession, power, dominance tigernatas = lordship, dominion
Irish (Gaeilge)	tiarna [ˈtʲiəɾˠn̪ˠə] = lord, master, ruler tiarnaigh = to rule, dominate tiarnas = lordship, rule, dominion, domain tiarnúil = lordly, masterful, overbearing, domineering, cheeky tiarnúlacht = lordliness, overbearingness, domination, cheekiness aintiarna = despotic lord, tyrant aintiarnas = tyranny bantiarna = lady
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tighearna [tʲi.əɾˠn̪ˠə] = lord, The Lord, laird, chief, ruler, baronet, master, superior tighearnach, tighearnail = lordly, magisterial tighearnas = lordship, dominion, peerage aintighearna = despot, oppressor, tyrant aintighearnas = oppression, tyranny baintighearna = lady
Manx (Gaelg)	çhiarn [ˈtʃaːrn] = laird, lord, peer çhiarnaght = dominion, lordship çhiarnys = domain, domination, dominion, lordship, manor, peerage ben çhiarn = lady
Proto-Brythonic	tɨɣern = lord, ruler tɨɣernọg = lordly, noble
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	teyrn, tegyrn = lord, master teyrneit, teyrneidd, têyrnaidd = monarchical, royal, kinglike, princely, majestic, dignified tyrnas, ternas, teyrnas, teernas, teÿnas = monarchy, kingdom, realm, dominion tyrnasa, tëyrnasa, teyrnasa = to reign (over), rule, govern tëyrnasaidd = monarchical, royal, dignified
Welsh (Cymraeg)	teyrn [teɨ̯rn / tei̯rn] = monarch, sovereign, king, prince, lord, ruler, leader, dictator, tyrant, royal teyrnach, teyrnachaeth = royal line, dynasty teyrnaidd = monarchical, royal, kinglike, princely, majestic, dignified teyrnas = monarchy, kingdom, realm, dominion teyrnasaf, teyrnasu = to reign (over), rule, govern teyrnasaidd = monarchical, royal, dignified
Middle Cornish (Cerenwec)	mychtern = king
Cornish (Kernewek)	machdeyrn = king
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	tiarn, tiern = lord, master *tiarnoc = lordly, noble
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tyèrn, tiern = prince, sovereign
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tiern [ˈtiː.ɛrn] = prince, sovereign

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Celtic *tiger (raid, raiding party) and *-inos (of, pertaining to). *Tigerno(s) may originally have meant something like “the chief of the raiding party” [source].

The name Vortigern from the same roots, as do versions in Welsh, Gwrtheyrn and Breton, Gourziern [source].

More about words for Kings and Queens.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Doctor

8th April 20198th April 2019 By Simon

Words for doctor in Celtic languages.

Irish (Gaeilge)	dochtúir [d̪ˠɔxˈt̪ˠuːɾʲ / ˈd̪ˠʌxt̪ˠuɾʲ] = doctor
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dotair [dɔhdɛrʲ] = doctor, surgeon, physician
Manx (Gaelg)	doghtoor = doctor

Etymology: from the Latin doctor (teacher, instructor), from doceō (teach), from the Proto-Italic *dokeō (tell, inform, teach, instruct), from the Proto-Indo-European *deḱ- (to take) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Dictionary of the Irish Language On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic	*lī(φ)agi- = doctor
Old Irish (Goídelc)	líaig = leech, doctor, physician
Irish (Gaeilge)	lia = healer, physician
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lèigh [ʎeː] = physician, surgeon lighiche [ʎi.ɪçə] = healer, physician, surgeon
Manx (Gaelg)	(fer/ben) lhee = (male/female) doctor, physician

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European lēg(‘)- (doctor), the same root as the English word leech [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Proto-Celtic English Word List, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Dictionary of the Irish Language On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto=Brythonic	*meðïg = doctor
Welsh (Cymraeg)	meddyg [ˈmɛðɪɡ / ˈmeːðɪɡ] = doctor
Cornish (Kernewek)	medhek [mɛðɛk / ‘mɛðɐk] = doctor, physician
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mezeg = doctor

Etymology: from the Latin medicus (doctor), from medeor (I heal, cure, remedy), from the Proto-Italic *medēōr (to heal), from the Proto-Indo-European *med- (to measure, give advice, heal) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Craftsman

7th April 20197th April 2019 By Simon

Words for craftsman in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*saɸiros = craftsman
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sáer [saːi̯r] = craftsman
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	saer = craftsman
Irish (Gaeilge)	saor [sˠeːɾˠ / sˠiːɾˠ] = artificer, craftsman, (stone)mason
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	saor [sɯːr] = joiner, carpenter
Manx (Gaelg)	seyr = carpenter, wright
Welsh (Cymraeg)	saer [saːɨ̯r / sai̯r] = carpenter, joiner; craftsman, skilled worker, artisan, builder
Old Cornish	sair = craftsman, carpenter
Cornish (Kernewek)	ser [sɛ:r / ze:r] = craftsman

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *sapiros, from *sap- (skill) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Old Woman, Crone, Hag

6th April 20196th April 2019 By Simon

Words for old woman, crone, hag in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	caillech = nun, housekeeper, elderly woman, crone, hag
Irish (Gaeilge)	cailleach = nun, old woman; hag; precocious girl; spineless fellow, coward; spent, shrivelled, thing; stump; truss, bundle (of straw)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cailleach [kaʎəx] = old lady, old woman; old biddy, hag; her indoors, the wife, the old lady; landlady
Manx (Gaelg)	caillagh = witch, crone, old woman, single woman; glaucous gull

Etymology: from the Old Irish caille (veil), from the Latin pallium (cloak, coverlet) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic	*wrakkā = woman
Old Irish (Goídelc)	frac = woman
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwrach = ugly old woman, crone, hag, witch, sorceress
Old Cornish	gruah = old woman
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwragh [gwra:x / gwræ:h] = hag, witch, wrasse (fish), woodlouse
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwrac’h = old woman, witch, fairy, mermaid

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Proto-Celtic English Word List, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Kings and Queens

2nd April 201914th August 2023 By Simon

Words for king and related things in Celtic languages.

Brian Boru, High King of Ireland (1002-1014) / Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, Ard-Rí ar Éirinn

Proto-Celtic	rīxs/rig- = king
Celtiberian	reikis = king
Gaulish	rīx = king – appears in names like Katurīx, Suādurīx, *Werkingetorīx (Vercingetorix) and Asterix
Primitive Irish	ᚏᚔᚌᚐᚄ (rigas) = (of the) king
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rí [r͈ʲiː] = king rígdae = regal, kingly rígdún = palace
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rí, ríg, rig = king, head, chief rígán = a sub-king, chief rígamail, rioghamhail = royal rígdacht = kingliness, kingly qualities, a kingdom rígda(e) = a royal dwelling place, palace rígrach = = royal, kingly
Irish (Gaeilge)	rí [ɾˠiː] = king, sovereign, monarch ríoga = regal, royal ríora = kings, royal persons, royalty, dynasty
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rìgh [r̪ʲiː] = king banrìgh = queen àrd-rìgh = high king mòr-rìgh = emperor rìoghachadh = reigning, reign rìoghachd = kingdom, realm
Manx (Gaelg)	ree = king reejerey = cavalier, chevalier, king, knight, lord, paladin, prince reeoil = kinglike, monarchy, regal, royal reeaght, reeriaght, riaght, ream = kingdom
Proto-Brythonic	*riɣ [ˈriːɣ] = king
Old Welsh	rig = king
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ri, rhi = king rhiaidd, rhïaidd = regal, royal, noble, generous rieu, riav = king, lord, ruler, chieftain rriawdr, riawdr = lord, ruler, chieftain, God
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhi [r̥iː] = king, prince, lord, ruler, chieftain rhiaidd = regal, noble, aristocratic, dignified rhiau = king, lord, ruler, chieftain rhiawdr = lord, ruler, chieftain, God
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ruy, ruif = king, sovereign, ruler ryal, real = royal, kingly
Cornish (Kernewek)	riel = regal, royal
Old Breton	ri = king
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ri, rí = king

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵs (king, ruler) [source], which is also the root of the German word Reich (empire, realm), and the English suffix -ric, as in bishopric (a diocese or region of a church which a bishop governs) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*rīganī= queen
Gaulish	rigani = queen
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rígan = queen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rígain, rígan, rígnae = queen, noble lady
Irish (Gaeilge)	ríon = queen, queenly, noble, lady, fair maiden banríon = queen (ban)ríonacht = queenship ríonaí = queenly ríonaigh = to queen (chess)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rìghinn [r̪ʲi.ɪn̪ʲ] = princess (archaic) rìbhinn [r̪ʲiːvɪn̪ʲ] = maid, maiden, girl, Venus, adder, queen (archaic) banrìgh = queen
Manx (Gaelg)	reeven = queen rein = queen ben-rein = queen
Proto-Brythonic	*rriɣėn [r͈iˈɣe̝ːn] = queen
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	riein, riain = (young) woman, girl, damsel, lass, maiden, virgin, queen, noble girl, lady
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhiain = (young) woman, girl, damsel, lass, maiden, virgin, queen, noble girl, lady

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵnih₂ (queen), from *h₃rḗǵs (king, ruler) [source]. Words from the same roots include reine (queen) in French, reina (queen) in Spanish, erregina (queen) in Basque, and regină (queen) in Romanian [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rhỼyf, rwyf, rỼy = king, lord, ruler, chieftain, leader rwyfaỼ, rwyfaỼ = to have dominion over, govern, rule rwyuannus, rhwyvanus = royal, kinglike, governing ruyvenit = prince, king, ruler rhwyfiadur, ruyfadur, rwyfyadur, rỼyfyadur = chief(tain), lord, leader, ruler, protector
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhwy(f) = king, lord, ruler, chieftain, leader rhwyfo = to have dominion over, govern, rule, lead, be ostentatious, live in splendour rhwyfanes = queen, lady rhwyfaniad = reign, government, rule, kingdom rhwyfanus = royal, kinglike, governing rhwyfenydd = prince, king, ruler rhwyf(i)adur = chief(tain), lord, leader, ruler, protector
Old Cornish	ruifanes = queen ruifadur = chief(tain), lord, leader
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ruy, ruif = king, sovereign, ruler ruifanes, ruivanes = a female ruler, queen
Cornish (Kernewek)	ruvanes = queen ruvaneth = kingdom
Old Breton	roe = king
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	roe, roé, roue, rouè = king rouanes, roanez, rouanés = queen rouantelez, roeantelez = kingdom roueel = royal roueeler = royalist roueelezh = royalty roueelouriezh = royalism roueoni = reign
Breton (Brezhoneg)	roue = king rouanez = queen rouantelezh = kingdom, monarchy roueel = royal roueelezh = royalty roueelouriezh = royalism

Etymology: from Old French roi (king), from Latin rēgem (king, ruler, despot, tyrant), from Proto-Italic *rēks (king), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵs (king, ruler) [source].

Words from the same Latin root include re (king) in Italian, roi (king) in French, viceroy in English and rey (king) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brigantīnos = (someone) pre-eminent, outstanding
Proto-Brythonic	*brɨɣėntin [brɨɣe̝nˈtiːn] = lord, king
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	breenhin, breennin, breyenhin, brenhin = king brenhynes, brenhines = queen, goddess, queen bee brenineiziaw = to become kingly brenhynyaeth, brenhinyaeth = royalty, kingship, reign
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brenin [ˈbrɛnɪn / ˈbreːnɪn] = king, sovereign, monarch, head of region brenineiddio = to make/become regal/kingly, make (sb) a king breninesaidd = queen-like, queenly breninesol = queen-like, queenly, pertaining to a queen breningarol = royalist breniniaethu = to reign, govern breninoldeb = kingship, royalty brenhines = queen, goddess, queen bee brenhiniaeth = royalty, kingship, reign, government
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	brentyn, bryntyn = privileged, sovereign, noble, excellent
Cornish (KerneweK)	bryntin, brentin = grand, great, noble, splendid, superb
Old Breton	brientin, brientinion = king
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	brientin = aristocrat brientinelezh = aristocracy
Breton (Brezhoneg)	brientin = aristocrat brientinel = aristocratic brientinelezh = aristocracy brienteg, brientek = privileged brientekaat = to favour briental = royalties

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰérǵʰonts (high), from *bʰerǵʰ- (to rise up, ascend) [source].

From the same Proto-Celtic root, , we get the tribal name *Brigantī (Brigantes – a Celtic tribe that occupied much of what is now northern England), Brigantia (a Celtic goddess of victory, and the territory of the Brigantes), the name Bridget, the Irish name Bríd, the Scottish Gaelic name Brìghde, the Manx name Breeshey, and the placenames such as Bragança (a city in northeastern Portugal), Bregenz (a city in western Austria) and Brianza (a city in northern Italy), [source].

English words from the same PIE root include bourgeois, burrow, fort and maybe burgler [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mechdeyrn, mychdeyrn, machdeyrn = king, lord, monarch, emperor mechteyrnged, mychteyrnged = tribute due to an overlord from an inferior lord
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mechdeyrn, mychdeyrn, machdeyrn = king, lord, monarch, emperor, God, tributary prince, viceroy mechdeyrnged, mychdeyrnged = tribute due to an overlord from an inferior lord
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	mychtern = sovereign, king mychternes = queen mychterneth = sovereignity, dominion, royalty, kingdom
Cornish (Kernewek)	myghtern, metern [mɪx’tɛrn] = king, monarch myghternes, meternes = monarch, queen myghterneth, meterneth = kingdom myghternses, meternses = kingship, monarchy
Old Breton	machtiern = king

Etymology: from Welsh mach (surety, guarantor, sponsor, hostage) and teyrn (sovereign, monarch, king) [source].

Source: Gerlyver Kernewek, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Poet, bard

26th March 20192nd April 2019 By Simon

Words for poet, bard in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*bardos = poet, bard
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bard [bar͈d] = poet, bard
Irish (Gaeilge)	bard [bˠɑːɾˠd̪ˠ / bˠæːɾˠd̪ˠ] = poet, bard, scold
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bàrd [b̊aːɹʃd̪̊] = rhymer, poet, versifier (traditionally ranked below the seven grades of filidh), bard
Manx (Gaelg)	bard = poet, bard
Proto-Brythonic	*barð [ˈbarð] = poet, bard
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bardd = poet, bard
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bardd [ˈbarð] = poet, bard, literary person, author, prophet, philosopher, priest
Old Cornish	barth = poet, bard
Cornish (Kernewek)	bardh [barð / bærð] = poet, bard
Middle Breton	barz = poet, bard
Breton (Brezhoneg)	barzh = poet, bard

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *gʷerH- (to approve, praise) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Cowherd, boy, child

25th March 201929th October 2022 By Simon

Words for cowherd, boy, child and related people in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*boukolyos = cowherd
Old Irish (Goídelc)	búachaill [ˈbuːa̯xil͈ʲ] = cowherd, herder, herdsman
Irish (Gaeilge)	buachaill [ˈbˠuəxɪlʲ] = boy, young unmarried; herdboy, herdsman; man-servant, male employee; lad buachailleacht = herding (cattle)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	buachaille, buachaill [buəçɪl̪ʲ(ə)] = herder, herdsman, cowherd, shepherd, youth buachailleachd [buəxɪl̪ʲəxg] = herding, watching cattle, invigilation buachailleadh [buəxɪl̪ʲəɣ] = to herd, watch cattle buachailleach [buəxɪl̪ʲəx] = pastoral
Manx (Gaelg)	bochilley = shepherd, herdsman bochillagh = herd, pastoral bochillaghey = to herd bochillaght = drove, herd, look after, shepherd, pastoral
Proto-Brythonic	*bʉgöl [bʉˈɡøːl] = herdsman
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	blucelid, bukeyl, bugeil = herdsman, shepherd
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bugail [ˈbɪɡai̯l / ˈbiːɡai̯l] = herdsman, shepherd, guardian, keeper, leader, defender; bishop, priest, pastor, minister bugeil(i)aeth = pastoral care, shepherd’s watch, pastorate, ministry bugeilio = to shepherd, tend cattle, watch, keep guard, act as a pastor, minister bugeil(i)aidd = pastoral, pertaining to a shepherd, shepherdly, ministerial
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bugel, begel, bigel, bygel = herdsman, shepherd, pastor
Cornish (Kernewek)	bugel = pastor, shepherd bugeles = pastor, shepherd(ess) bugelya = to herd
Middle Breton	bugel, buguel, bugale = child, shepherd bugelek = childlike, childish bugelel = infantile bugelez = shepherdess, herdswoman bugeliañ = to keep, guard (animals)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bugel = child

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European gʷowkólos, from *gʷṓws (cow) and *kʷel- (to revolve, move around, sojourn) [source]. English words from the same roots include beef, bovine, bucolic, buffalo, butter and cow [source].

Here’s the Irish song Buachaill On Eirne (Boy from the Erne):

Here’s the Irish folk song Na Buachaillí Álainn (The Beautiful Lads):

Both songs are sung by Clannad, whose name comes from the same roots as the words below, and who get me interested in learn Irish songs and language.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cland [klan͈d] = children, family, offspring, plant clannmar [ˈklan͈ṽar] = prolific
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clann = plant, planting, off-shoot, produce, children, family, offspring, descendents, race, clan clannach = having many children, prolific, fruitful, productive, abundant
Irish (Gaeilge)	clann [kl̪ˠɑun̪ˠ/kl̪ˠɑːn̪ˠ/kl̪ˠan̪ˠ] = children, offspring, race, descendents, clan, followers, plant, lock (of hair) clannach = having many children, prolific, luxuriant clannaigh = to plant, procreate, luxuriate clannú = procreation planda [pl̪ˠaun̪ˠd̪ˠə] = plant, scion plandaigh = to plant plandáil = plantation plandóg = shapely, comely woman; young plant
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	clann [kl̪ˠaun̪ˠ] = children, offspring, progeny, clan, lock of hair, curl clannail [kl̪ˠan̪ˠal] = fruitful, prolific, abounding in locks, curls, curly, shining, sleek, luxurious clanmhor [kl̪ˠãũn̪ˠvər] = fruitful, prolific plannt [pl̪ˠãũn̪ˠd] = plant
Manx (Gaelg)	cloan [klɔːn] = children, descendent, family circle plant = plant plantal = to plant
Old Welsh	plant = children, young people, offspring
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	plant = children, young people, offspring
Welsh (Cymraeg)	plant [plant] = children, young people, offspring, progeny, descendents, followers, disciples, servants plentyn = child, young person, etc panta(f) = to beget or bear (children), procreate, breed plantaidd = childlike, innocent
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	plans = plant plansa = to plant
Cornish (Kernewek)	plans = plant plansa = to plant, stick
Middle Breton	plantenn, planten, plantenn = plant, beautiful woman plantenniñ = to take root, to layer planter = planter planterez = planting
Breton (Brezhoneg)	plantenn = plant

Etymology: from the Latin planta (vegetable, sprout, shoot, twig, shrub), possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂- (flat) [source]. English words from the same roots include clan (via Irish and/or Scottish Gaelic) and plant (via Middle and Old English) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Daughter / Girl

24th March 201926th April 2022 By Simon

Words for daughter / girl in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*enigenā = daughter
Primitive Irish	ᚔᚅᚔᚌᚓᚅᚐ (inigena) = daughter
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ingen [ˈinʲɣʲen] = daughter, maiden, virgin, young woman
Irish (Gaeilge)	iníon [ɪˈnʲiːnˠ / ˈɪnʲiːnʲ / n̠ʲiənˠ] = daughter, girl, maiden; (young) woman, Miss gariníon = granddaughter iníon deirféar = niece (sister’s daughter) iníon dearthár = niece (brother’s daughter)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nighean [ɲiː.an̪ˠ] = daughter, girl, lass gar-inghean, nighean-mhic = granddaughter nighean-pheathar = niece (sister’s daughter) nighean-bhràthar = niece (brother’s daughter)
Manx (Gaelg)	inneen [ɪnˈjiːn] = daughter, girl (also written ‘neen / ‘nneen) oe ‘neen = granddaughter inneen shayrey = niece (sister’s daughter) inneen vraarey = niece (brother’s daughter)

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *h₁én (in) + *ǵenh₁- (produce, give birth). [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic	*merkā = daughter
Proto-Brythonic	*merx = daughter
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	smarach [smɛrəx] = lively person; lad, young man
Welsh (Cymraeg)	merch [mɛrχ] = girl, lass; female, (young or unmarried) woman; daughter; female descendant
Cornish (Kernewek)	myrgh [mɪrx] = daughter mergh = daughter
Breton (Brezhoneg)	merc’h = daughter, girl, maiden merc’hig = little girl, daughterling

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *méryos (boy, girl). [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Welsh (Cymraeg)

Towns and Tribes

Bells and Clocks

Lord, Ruler

Doctor

Craftsman

Old Woman, Crone, Hag

Kings and Queens

Poet, bard

Cowherd, boy, child

Daughter / Girl