llan

Welsh

Etymology

From Middle Welsh llann, from Proto-Brythonic *llann, from Proto-Celtic *landā, from Proto-Indo-European *lendʰ- (“land, heath”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɬan/
• Rhymes: -an

Noun

llan f (plural llannau)

1. (parish) church, parish
2. a monastery
3. churchyard; enclosure, yard
4. small town or village

   Synonyms: pentref, tref

Synonyms

• (church): eglwys

Derived terms

• allan (“out”, adverb)
• cadeirlan (“cathedral”)
• corfflan (“graveyard”)
• corlan (“sheepfold”)
• Llangollen
• Llandecwyn
• Llandudno
• Llanelli
• Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
• Llansamlet
• Llanymddyfri (“Llandovery”)
• perllan (“orchard”)

 

Mutation

Welsh mutation
radical	soft	nasal	aspirate
llan	lan	unchanged	unchanged
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

Further reading

• R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “llan”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies