Meaning

[giltbrookian]

Does anyone know he meaning of "LLan" as in Welsh place names.

[phizzy]

llan - a piece of land surrounded by a fence and containing a church

[kempie]

The original meaning of 'Llan' was an enclosed piece of land within which would be a church and a group of Christians. Each 'Llan' or 'sacred place' was established by a Celtic saint after whom the site was named.

It is often transcribed as 'the Church of...' but would more accurately be described by 'parish'.

[dundurn]

The Breton and Cornich equivalent is Lan as in Lan-stefan-ton = Launceston. The part of the place name immediately after Llan is usually the name of the saint to whom the parish was dedicated - e.g. Lampeter - St Peter, Llanfair - Mary, Llantrisant - three saints,

[giltbrookian]

I am indebted to you all for your answers.