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Archiver > GENBRIT > 2003-07 > 1057503312


From: Padraig Breathnach <>
Subject: Re: counties; was Interesting children
Date: Sun, 06 Jul 2003 15:55:12 +0100
References: <IO6Ma.924$Gf3.3220@tor-nn1.netcom.ca> <ei7Ma.4202$CP6.1670@news-binary.blueyonder.co.uk> <926150b4c%Graeme@greywall.demon.co.uk> <be1eqt$68to$2@ID-199540.news.dfncis.de> <be1ic8$pmn$1@seagoon.newcastle.edu.au> <a686ec4c%Graeme@greywall.demon.co.uk> <vojbgvsg1r66deftn1gcu8htc3fssgnk8h@4ax.com> <gioNa.2705$4O4.180183@newsfep2-win.server.ntli.net> <be7302$rq7$1@newsg4.svr.pol.co.uk> <be8h4b$g70$1@hercules.btinternet.com> <be9c4p$mq8$1@news6.svr.pol.co.uk>


"Vaughan Sanders" <> wrote:

>
>"Paul Draper" <> wrote in message
>news:be8h4b$g70$1@hercules.btinternet.com...
>> Vaughan Sanders wrote:
>> > I think Kent is unique as the only English county to have a pre
>> > English origin for its name.
>>
>> We did have Avon for a while. How about Leicestershire and the Isle of
>> Wight?
>>
>>
>
>Avon would have been Dobunni or Belgae territory, are you thinking of
>Avalon and King Arthur for the origin?.
>
'Avon' is a Celtic word, meaning "river". You find it in other
placenames, such as 'Aberavon'.

Whether or not 'Avalon' is in any way derived from 'avon' I do not
know, but I see no obvious reason why it should be.

PB

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