List of Celtic place names in Portugal
Encyclopedia
Toponymy
Toponymy is the scientific study of place names , their origins, meanings, use and typology. The word "toponymy" is derived from the Greek words tópos and ónoma . Toponymy is itself a branch of onomastics, the study of names of all kinds...
were mentioned by ancient Greek
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece is a civilization belonging to a period of Greek history that lasted from the Archaic period of the 8th to 6th centuries BC to the end of antiquity. Immediately following this period was the beginning of the Early Middle Ages and the Byzantine era. Included in Ancient Greece is the...
and Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
authors
Classics
Classics is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world ; especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity Classics (sometimes encompassing Classical Studies or...
. The regions
Geography of Portugal
Portugal is a coastal nation in southwestern Europe, located at the western end of the Iberian Peninsula, bordering Spain...
where we can find a greater number of these names are in the north (inhabited by the Callaici
Callaici
The Gallaeci or Callaeci were a Celtic people who inhabited Gallaecia, the region roughly corresponding to what is now Galicia, North of Portugal and Western Asturias, through the Roman period...
) and center (inhabited by the Lusitanians
Lusitanians
The Lusitanians were an Indo-European people living in the Western Iberian Peninsula long before it became the Roman province of Lusitania . They spoke the Lusitanian language which might have been Celtic. The modern Portuguese people see the Lusitanians as their ancestors...
) of Portugal, but also in the south (the Alentejo, inhabited by the Celtici
Celtici
]The Celtici were a Celtic tribe or group of tribes of the Iberian peninsula, inhabiting three definite areas: in what today are the provinces of Alentejo and the Algarve in Portugal; in the Province of Badajoz and north of Province of Huelva in Spain, in the ancient Baeturia; and along the...
, and the Algarve, inhabited by the Cynetes
Cynetes
The Cynetes or Conii were one of the pre-Roman peoples of the Iberian Peninsula, living in today's Algarve and Low Alentejo regions of southern Portugal before the 6th century BCE .They are often mentioned in the ancient sources under various designations, mostly Greek or Latin derivatives of their...
), which correspond to the ancient Roman province
Roman province
In Ancient Rome, a province was the basic, and, until the Tetrarchy , largest territorial and administrative unit of the empire's territorial possessions outside of Italy...
s of Gallaecia
Gallaecia
Gallaecia or Callaecia, also known as Hispania Gallaecia, was the name of a Roman province and an early Mediaeval kingdom that comprised a territory in the north-west of Hispania...
and Lusitania
Lusitania
Lusitania or Hispania Lusitania was an ancient Roman province including approximately all of modern Portugal south of the Douro river and part of modern Spain . It was named after the Lusitani or Lusitanian people...
.
The name of Portugal itself may have a root (the "gal" ending) of Celtic origin (see: Name of Portugal and Portus Cale
Portus Cale
Portus Cale was the old name of an ancient town and port in current day Portugal. It was located in the north of Portugal, in the area of today's Grande Porto.-Early History:...
).
List of towns and places
| Celtic name | Modern name |
|---|---|
| Alanobricae | Eiras in Santo Amaro Santo Amaro Santo Amaro, is Portuguese for "Saint Amaro" or Amarus the Pilgrim, but may also refer to:-Portugal:*Santo Amaro , a civil parish in the district of Sousel... |
| Anobrega | Ponte da Barca |
| Arabriga Arabriga Arabriga is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family.-References:*... |
probably Alenquer or between Sesimbra Sesimbra -References:Bibliography*The Rough Guide to Portugal; 11th edition, March 2005; ISBN 1-84353-438-X*Rentes de Carvalho, J. - Portugal, um guia para amigos ; De Arbeiderspers, 9th ed. August 1999; ISBN 90-295-3457-5Notes... and Outão |
| Arcobica | probably Torrão in Alcácer do Sal Alcácer do Sal Alcácer do Sal is a municipality in Portugal, located in Setúbal District. It has a total area of and a total population of 13,624 inhabitants.-History :-Earliest settlement:... |
| Arcobriga | probably near Braga Braga Braga , a city in the Braga Municipality in northwestern Portugal, is the capital of the Braga District, the oldest archdiocese and the third major city of the country. Braga is the oldest Portuguese city and one of the oldest Christian cities in the World... |
| Aritium Praetorium | probably Tamazim, near Bemposta |
| Aritium oppidum vetus | Casal da Várzea |
| Aritium Vetus | Alvega Alvega Alvega is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Abrantes, in Santarém District. It stands on the left bank of the river Tagus. The parish has a population of 1,729 inhabitants and a total area of 56.44 km².... in Abrantes Abrantes Abrantes is a municipality in Portugal, with a population of 41,560 inhabitants, located on the southern margin of the Tagus River.-History:... |
| Aranni | probably near Ourique |
| Arandis Arandis Arandis may refer to:* Arandis Constituency* Arandis, Namibia a town* Ourique, Portugal, formerly Arandis... |
near Ourique |
| Ardila | |
| Armona | ilha de Armona |
| Auobriga/ *Aobriga | in the Ave Valley Ave River Ave River is a river in Portugal. Vizela River flows into it.... region |
| Equabonna/Aquabona | Coina in Barreiro |
| Auaron Pr. | Carreiro Carreiro Carreiro may refer to several things:*Casa do Carreiro de Baixo and Casa do Carreiro de Cima, two houses in the parish of Nevogilde in Portugal*Rio Carreiro, a river in the state of Santa Catarina in Brazil-See also:*Carreira... in Póvoa de Varzim Póvoa de Varzim Póvoa de Varzim is a Portuguese city in the Norte Region and sub-region of Greater Porto, with a 2011 estimated population of 63,364. According to the 2001 census, there were 63,470 inhabitants with 42,396 living in the city proper. The urban area expanded, southwards, to Vila do Conde, and there... (Cape Santo André Cape Santo André Cape Santo André is a cape located in the Northern coast of continental Portugal, in Santo André, municipality of Póvoa de Varzim.... ) |
| Axabrica | Xabregas |
| Bracara | Braga Braga Braga , a city in the Braga Municipality in northwestern Portugal, is the capital of the Braga District, the oldest archdiocese and the third major city of the country. Braga is the oldest Portuguese city and one of the oldest Christian cities in the World... |
| Brigantia | Bragança Bragança (Portugal) Bragança is a city and municipality in north-eastern Portugal, capital of district of Bragança, in Alto Trás-os-Montes subregion of Portugal. In 2001, the population of the municipality was 34,774, in an area of 1173.57 km².-History:... |
| Brita/s | |
| Budens | Budens |
| *Burrulobriga | around Elvas |
| Caetobriga/Caetobrix | Setúbal Setúbal Setúbal is the main city in Setúbal Municipality in Portugal with a total area of 172.0 km² and a total population of 118,696 inhabitants in the municipality. The city proper has 89,303 inhabitants.... |
| Caeilobricoi | Castro Daire in Lamas de Moledo |
| Calabria > Caliabriga | Castelo Calabre in Vila Nova de Foz Côa Vila Nova de Foz Côa Vila Nova de Foz Côa is a city and a municipality in the district of Guarda, Portugal, with a total population of 8,249 inhabitants. The city population is around 3,300.Main rivers in the municipal territory include the Douro and the Côa.... |
| Caladunum | probably Vilar de Perdizes in Montalegre |
Cambra| Vale de Cambra |
|
| Calle | Vila Nova de Gaia Vila Nova de Gaia Vila Nova de Gaia, or simply Gaia is a city in Vila Nova de Gaia Municipality, Portugal. It is located in the Porto District, south of the city of Porto on the other side of the Douro River. The city proper has a population of 178,255 and the municipality contains 24 parishes with a total... ; Portucale Portucale Portucale can mean different things:*Portus Cale, old Roman name of an ancient town and port in current day Portugal, in the area of today's Grande Porto... ; Portugal |
| Cantippo | |
| Castellum Araocelum | São Cosmado in Mangualde |
| Catraleucus/ Contraleuco | |
| Conimbriga | Conimbriga Conímbriga Conímbriga is one of the largest Roman settlements in Portugal, and is classified as a National Monument. Conímbriga lies 16 km from Coimbra and less than 2 km from Condeixa-a-Nova. The site also has a museum that displays objects found by archaeologists during their excavations,... |
| Civitas Aravorum |
Marialva |
| Corumbriga | probably Coimbra Coimbra Coimbra is a city in the municipality of Coimbra in Portugal. Although it served as the nation's capital during the High Middle Ages, it is better-known for its university, the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the... |
| Cottaiobriga | near Almeida Almeida Almeida is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 518 km2 and a total population of 7,784 inhabitants. Located in Riba-Côa river valley, Almeida is an historic town in Beira Interior.... |
| Ebora | Évora Évora Évora is a municipality in Portugal. It has total area of with a population of 55,619 inhabitants. It is the seat of the Évora District and capital of the Alentejo region. The municipality is composed of 19 civil parishes, and is located in Évora District.... |
| Eburobrittium | Óbidos |
| *Elaneobriga | around Braga Braga Braga , a city in the Braga Municipality in northwestern Portugal, is the capital of the Braga District, the oldest archdiocese and the third major city of the country. Braga is the oldest Portuguese city and one of the oldest Christian cities in the World... |
| Evion | |
| Ercobriga | |
| Etobrico | Alenquer Alenquer Alenquer is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 304.2 km² and a total population of 42,932 inhabitants. The municipality is composed of 16 parishes, and is located in the District of Lisbon.... |
| Jerabrica/Gerabrica/Hierabrica | Between Lisbon Lisbon Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban... and Santarém Santarém, Portugal Santarém is a city in the Santarém Municipality in Portugal. The city itself has a population of 28,760 and the entire municipality has 64,124 inhabitants.It is the capital of Santarém District.... |
| Jurumegna | Jurumenha in Alandroal Alandroal Alandroal Municipality is a municipality in Portugal located on the eastern frontier with Spain along the Guadiana River in the Central Alentejo region... |
| Lacobriga Lacobriga Lacobriga was the latin name of a settlement established during the pre-Punic civilizations, near current day Lagos, Portugal.Founded by the Conii around 1899 BC, there is evidence of Phoenician presence around the seventh century BC.... |
Lagos |
| Lamecum | Lamego Lamego Lamego is a municipality in northern Portugal, with a population of 27,054 inhabitants Lamego is a municipality in northern Portugal, with a population of 27,054 inhabitants Lamego is a municipality in northern Portugal, with a population of 27,054 inhabitants (the catchment of the city of... |
| Langobriga | Fiães Fiães -Parishes:*Fiães, a parish in the municipality of Melgaço*Fiães, a parish in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira*Fiães, a parish in the municipality of Trancoso*Fiães, a parish in the municipality of Valpaços-Other:... |
| castello Letiobri | around Braga Braga Braga , a city in the Braga Municipality in northwestern Portugal, is the capital of the Braga District, the oldest archdiocese and the third major city of the country. Braga is the oldest Portuguese city and one of the oldest Christian cities in the World... |
| Lemos | |
| Londobris | Berlengas Berlengas The Berlengas archipelago is a group of small islands 10 to 15 kilometers off the Portuguese coast, west of the town of Peniche.-History:Human occupation on Berlenga Grande dates back to antiquity: the islands are referred to in Ptolemy's Geography as Λονδοβρίς... |
| Longobriga | Longroiva in Meda |
| Lubrigos | Vila Real |
| Civitas Aravorum |
Marialva (Mêda) |
| Malaceca/Malateca | |
| Medrobiga | Marvão Marvão Marvão is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 154.9 km² and a total population of 3,739 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of 4 parishes, and is located in Portalegre District.... |
| Meidubriga | in Beira Alta |
| Mirobriga | Miróbriga Miróbriga Miróbriga is an ancient Roman town located near the village and civil parish of Santiago do Cacém, in the municipality of the same name in the south-west of Portugal... |
| Mirobriga | Montemor o Velho |
| Meribriga/Merebriga | in Alentejo |
| Merobriga | probably Sines Sines Sines may refer to one of the following places:*Sines Municipality, a municipality in the district of Setúbal**Sines , a civil parish in the municipality of Sines**Port of Sines, a deep-water port in the city of Sines... or near river Mira |
| Montobriga/Mundobriga | around Castelo de Vide |
| Moron | Almorol or Montalvão |
| Ocelum | Ferro probably in Covilhã Covilhã Covilhã is a city in Covilha Municipality in Centro region, Portugal. The city proper has 36,723 inhabitants, and the municipality has an area of 555.6 km² with a total population of 53,501, being composed of 31 parishes. It is located in the Cova da Beira subregion, in the district of... |
| Pendraganum | Pedrógão |
| Seliobriga | São Martinho de Pedrulhais in Sepins |
| Talabriga | Lamas do Vouga |
| Talabriga | Ponte de Lima, Estourãos |
| Tameobriga | near Paiva and Douro |
| Terena | Terena |
| Tongobriga/ Tuntobriga | "capela dos mouros" in Freixo |
| Tur(o)lobriga | around Chaves |
| Uxonoba | |
| Vicus Camalocensis | around Crato |
| Vicus Veniensis | Cabeço de Lameirão in Meimoa |
| Vipasca | Aljustrel Aljustrel Aljustrel is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 458.3 km² and a total population of 9,940 inhabitants.During the Roman era, Aljustrel was known as Metallum Vispascense.... |
List of rivers
| Celtic name | Modern name |
|---|---|
| Ardila | Ardila |
| Durius from celtic dur, water. | Douro Douro The Douro or Duero is one of the major rivers of the Iberian Peninsula, flowing from its source near Duruelo de la Sierra in Soria Province across northern-central Spain and Portugal to its outlet at Porto... |
| Minius | Minho Minho River The Minho or Miño is the longest river in Galicia, Spain, with an extension of 340 km.Both names come from Latin Minius... |
| Tamaca | Tâmega Tâmega The Tâmega or Támega is an international river belonging to Spain and Portugal. The river begins its course near Verín, Galicia flowing south to Portugal, in the historical provinces of Trás-os-Montes and Douro Litoral.... |
See also
- Roman Geography of Portugal
- List of Latin place names in Iberia