Llan ([ɬan]) and its variants (Breton: lan; Cornish: lann; Pictish: lhan) are a common placename element in Brythonic languages. In modern orthography, it is treated as a prefix, but was formerly sometimes written as a separate word. The (often mutated) name of the relevant saint or location follows the element: for example "Llanfair" is the parish or settlement around the church of St. Mair (Welsh for "Mary").
The various forms of the word are cognate with English land and lawn and presumably initially denoted a specially cleared and enclosed area of land. In late antiquity, it came to be applied particularly to the sanctified land occupied by communities of Christian converts. It is part of the name of over 630 locations in Wales and nearly all have some connection with a local patron saint. These were usually (but not always) the founding saints of the parish, relatives of the ruling families who invaded Wales during the early Middle Ages. The founder of a new llan was obligated to reside at the site and to eat only once a day, each time taking a bit of bread and an egg and drinking only water and milk. This lasted for forty days, Sundays excepted, after which the land was considered sanctified forever. The typical llan employed or erected a circular or oval embankment with a protective stockade, surrounded by wood or stone huts. Unlike Saxon practice, these establishments were not chapels for the local lords but almost separate tribes, initially some distance away from the secular community. Over time, however, it became common for prosperous communities to either become monasteries forbidden to lay residents or to become fully secular communities controlled by the local lord.
In the later Middle Ages, llan also came to denote entire parishes, both as an ecclesiastical region and as a subdivision of a commote or hundred.
(All pages beginning with "Llan")
Llanarmon-yn-Iâl, Denbighshire, Saint Garmon or St. Germanus of Auxerre
Llanbadarn Fawr, Saint Padarn
Llanbadrig, Saint Patrick
Llanbedr, Saint Peter
Llanberis, Saint Peris
Llandegla, Saint Tecla
Llanddarog, Saint Twrog
Llanddeusant, Anglesey, two saints: Saint Marcellus and Saint Marcellina
Llanddeusant, Carmarthenshire, two saints: Saint David and Saint Teilo
Llandeilo, Saint Teilo
Llandewi, Saint David
Llandudno, Saint Tudno
Llandybie, Saint Tybie
Llandyssil, Saint Tyssil
Llanedi, Saint Edith
Llanegwad, Saint Egwad
Llanellen, Saint Helen
Llanelli, Saint Elli
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, Saint Mary and Saint Tysilio
Llanfoist, Saint Fwyst
Llanfynydd, Mountain Church
Llangadog, Saint Cadoc
Llangain, Saint Cain
Llangathen, Saint Cathan
Llangeler, Saint Celert
Llangelynnin, Saint Celynin
Llangennech, Saint Cennych
Llangennith, Saint Cenydd
Llangollen, Saint Collen
Llangolman, Saint Colman
Llangrannog, Saint Caranog or Carantoc
Llangunnor, Saint Cynnwr
Llangyfelach, Saint Cyfelach
Llangyndeyrn, Saint Cyndeyrn
Llangynllo, Saint Cynllo
Llangynog, Saint Cynog
Llangynwyd, Saint Cynwyd
Llanharan, Saint Aaron
Llanidloes, Saint Idloes
Llanilar, Saint Hilary
Llanismel, Saint Ismael
Llanllawddog, Saint Llawddog
Llanmadoc, Saint Madoc
Llanmartin, Saint Martin
Llanishen (Llanisien), Saint Isan
Llannon, Saint Non
Llanpumsaint, five saints: Gwyn, Gwynno, Gwynoro, Ceithio and Celynin
Llanrhidian, Saint Rhidian
Llanrwst, Saint Grwst
Llansadwrn, Saint Sadwrn
Llansamlet, Saint Samlet
Llansawel, Saint Sawell
Llanstephan, Saint Stephen
Llantrisant, three saints: Illtud, Gwynno and Dyfodwg
Llanwenog, Saint Gwenog
Llanwrda, Saint Cwrda
Llandaff, named after the River Taff
Llandrindod, named after the Trinity (Welsh: y Drindod)
Llanfachraeth, Church of the little beach
Llanfaes, 'Church of the Field' from llan + maes (field)
Llangefni, named after the River Cefni (Previously known as Llangyngar, after Saint Cyngar)
Llan, Montgomeryshire
Llanbradach, name evolved from Nant Bradach
Llancarfan, name evolved from Nantcarfan
Llandarcy, named after William Knox D'Arcy
Llandovery, a corruption of Llanymddyfri, in English 'Church enclosure amidst the waters'
Llaneglwys, Brecknockshire - llan + eglwys (church)
Llangoedmor in Ceredigion, originally Llangoedmawr, Great Wood.
Llanllyfni, Gwynedd - llan on the River Llyfni
Llanmorlais, name evolved from Glan Morlais
Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Montgomeryshire - llan + rhaeadr (waterfall) in the cantref of Mochnant
Llanuwchllyn, Gwynedd - llan + uwch + llyn (llan above the lake)
Llanymawddwy, Gwynedd - llan + yn + Mawddwy (llan in the district of Mawddwy)
Lancaut (Welsh: Llan Cewydd), Gloucestershire
Llancillo, Herefordshire
Landican (Birkenhead, Merseyside), Saint Tegan
Llandinabo, Herefordshire
Llanfair Waterdine, Shropshire
Llangarron, Herefordshire
Llanrothal, Herefordshire
Llanveynoe, Herefordshire
Llanwarne, Herefordshire
Llanymynech, Shropshire
Llanyblodwel, Shropshire
Lannahevran, St Keverne, Saint Achevran
Lannaled, St Germans, Saint Aled
Lannanta or Ewni Lananta, Lelant, Saint Anta
Lannbrobus, Probus, Saint Probus
Lanndege, Old Kea, Saint Kea
Lanndewydnek, Landewednack, Saint Gwynnek
Lanndhylyk, Landulph, Saint Deloc
Lanndoho, St Kew near Wadebridge, Saint Dochou, similar to the Welsh Llandochau
Lannentenin, St Anthony in Meneage, Saint Antonius
Lannewa, St Ewe, Saint Ewa
Lannfyek, Feock, Saint Feoc
Lanngostentin, Constantine, Saint Constantine
Lannhernow, Lanherne, Saint Hernow
Lanngenewyt, Langunnett, Saint Cyneuit
Lanngorrek or Lanngorrow, Crantock, Saint Goroc
Lannhydrek, Lanhydrock, Saint Hydrek
Lannjowan, Leyowne, Saint John
Lannkynhorn or Lanngenhorn, Linkinhorne, Saint Cynhoern
Lannlivri, Lanlivery, Saint Lyfri
Lannmoren or Lannvorenn, Lamorran, Saint Morenna or Saint Moren
Lannoweyn, Cubert, Saint Owein
Lannreydhek or Lannreydhow, Lanreath, Saint Reydhek or Saint Reydhow
Lannrigon, Laregan and Lariggan
Lannrihorn, Ruan Lanihorne, Saint Rihoern
Lannsalwys, Lansallos, Saint Salwys
Lannseles, Launcells, Saint Seles
Lannsiek, St Just in Roseland, Saint Siek
Lannstevan, Launceston, Saint Stephen
Lannsulyan, Luxulyan, Saint Sulyan
Lannudhno, St Erth, Saint Udhno
Lannunwal, Laninval
Lannust, St Just in Penwith, Saint Just
Lannvihal, St Michael Caerhays, Saint Michael
Lannvorek, Mevagissey, Saint Morec
Lannvowsedh, St Mawes, Saint Maudet
Lannwedhenek, Padstow, Saint Guethenoc
Lannwenek, Lewannick, Saint Gwenek
Lannwolesyk, Lellizzick, Saint Gwledic
Lannworon, Goran, Saint Goron
Lannystli, Gulval, Saint Ystli
Kellilann, Clann, enclosure grove
Lannbesow, Lambessow, birch tree enclosure
Lannbron, Lambourne, hill enclosure
Lanndreth, St Blazey, religious enclosure by a beach or ferry
Lanneves, Lanivet, sacred grove religious enclosure
Lanneyst, Laneast, unknown
Lanngordhow, Fowey, religious enclosure of tribes
Lannmanagh, Lammana, monk's enclosure
Lannmanagh, Looe Island, monk's enclosure
Lannpenn, Lampen, head enclosure
Lannsans, Lezant, holy religious enclosure
Lannvab, Mabe, son's enclosure
Lannvyhan or Ladnvian, Laddenvean, small religious enclosure
Lannwydhek, Mylor, wooded religious enclosure
Seghlan, Sellan, dry enclosure
Landrevik, Landrivick, originally Hendrevik (little old farm)
Landu, Landue, originally Nansdu (black or dark valley)
Landu, Lanjew (Withiel), originally Lendu (black or dark strip field)
Landuwy, Lantewey, originally Nantduwey (valley of the river Dewey)
Lannestek, Lanescot, originally Lysnestek (Nestoc's court)
Langarth, Langarth, originally Lenangath (the cat's strip field)
Langover, Langore, originally Nansgover (stream valley)
Lanjergh, Lanjeth, originally Nansyergh (roebucks valley)
Lanjiogh, Lanjew (Kea), originally Nanskiogh (stream valley)
Lankarrow, Lancarrow, originally Nanskarrow (stag's valley)
Lanlegh, Lanteague, originally Nanslegh (rock slab valley)
Lanlowarn, Lanlawren, originally Nanslowarn (fox's valley)
Lanmelin, Lamellion, originally Nansmelin (mill valley)
Lanmelin, Lamellyn, originally Nansmelin (mill valley)
Lanmorek, Lamorick, originally Nansmorek (Moroc's valley)
Lanmornow, Lamorna, originally Nansmornow (valley of a stream called Morno)
Lannergh, Lanarth, woodland clearing
Lannergh, Landrake, woodland clearing
Lannergh, Lannarth, woodland clearing
Lannergh, Lanner, woodland clearing
Lannergh, Larrick, woodland clearing
Lannergh, Larrick (South Petherwin), woodland clearing
Lannergh, Muchlarnick, woodland clearing
Lansewigy, Lanseague, originally Nansewigy (hinds valley)
Lanteglos, Lanteglos-by-Camelford, originally Nanteglos (church valley)
Lanteglos, Lanteglos-by-Fowey, originally Nanteglos (church valley)
Lantlogh, Landlooe, originally Nantlogh (valley of the river Looe)
Lantollek, Lantallack, originally Nanstollek (hollowed valley)
Lantyvet, Lantivet, originally Nantyvet (cultivated valley)
Lantyeyn, Lantyan, originally Nantyeyn (cold valley)
Lanyeyn, Lanyon, originally Lynyeyn (cold pool)
Lanyeyn, Lanyon (Gwinear), named after the Lanyon family from Lynyeyn (cold pool)
Landkey (near Barnstaple, Devon), Saint Kea
Lampaul-Guimiliau (Breton: Lambaol-Gwimilio), Saint Paul
Landerneau (Breton: Landerne), Saint Ténénan
Langolen (Breton: Langolen), Saint Collen
Landeleau (Breton: Landelo), Saint Teilo
Landoac (Breton: Landoac), Saint Doac
Lanildut (Breton: Lannildud), Illtud
Lannédern (Breton: Lannedern), Saint Edern
Landévennec (Breton: Landevenneg), Winwaloe
Landivisiau (Breton: Landivizio), Saint Gwisiau
Landudal (Breton: Landudal), Tudwal
Lanhouarneau (Breton: Lanhouarne), Saint Hervé
Landévant (Breton: Landevant), Saint Tevant
Landudec (Breton: Landudeg), Saint Tadec
Landunvez (Breton: Landunvez), Sainte Tunvez
Langoëlan (Breton: Lanwelan), Saint Gouelan
Languidic (Breton: Langedig), Saint Cynedd
Landéda (Breton: Landeda), Saint Tédia or Saint Tydeu
Landujan (Breton: Landujan), Saint Tudin (Tudwal)
Langast (Breton: Lanwal), Saint Gal
Langourla (Breton: Langourlae), Saint Gourlae
Langrolay-sur-Rance (Breton: Langorlae), Saint Gourlae
Languenan (Breton: Langenan), Saint Kenan
Langonnet (Breton: Langoned), Saint Konoed (Saint Cynwyd)
Lanmodez (Breton: Lanvaodez), Saint Maudez
Landrévarzec (Breton: Landrevarzeg), Saint Harzheg
Lanarvily (Breton: Lannarvili), Saint Haeruili
Lanvénégen (Breton: Lannejenn), Saint Menegean
Lanvollon (Breton: Lannolon), Saint Volon
Landaul (Breton: Landaol), (Perhaps Saint Teilo)
Landébia (Breton: Landebiav), Saint Tebiav
Lannéanou (Breton: Lanneanoù), Saint Leanou
La Harmoye (Breton: Lanhervoed), Saint Harmoël
La Landec (Breton: Lannandeg), Saint Deg
Landéhen (Breton: Landehen), Saint Guéhen
La Méaugon (Breton: Lanvealgon), Saint Algon
Lancieux (Breton: Lanseeg), Saint Séoc (or Sieu)
Langueux (Breton: Langaeg), Saint Guéthénoc
Lanhélin (Breton: Lanhelen), Saint Helen
Laniscat (Breton: Lanniskad), Saint Escat
Lanneuffret (Breton: Lanneured), Saint Gwévret
Saint-Urbain (Breton: Lannurvan), Saint Urvan
Lannion (Breton: Lannuon)
Landebaëron (Breton: Landebaeron)
La Malhoure (Breton: Lanvelor)
La Nouaye (Breton: Lanwaz)
Lanrigan (Breton: Lanrigan), Saint Rigan
Lanrivoaré (Breton: Lanriware), Saint Riware
La Vraie-Croix (Breton: Langroez)
Lanfains (Breton: Lanfeun), Lanfains' name comes from the Breton language « lann » (hermitage) and, it seems, from the Latin « fanum » (temple). Lanfains was situated at the border of the Gallo and Breton languages.
Langan, Ille-et-Vilaine (Breton: Langan)
Langon (Breton: Landegon)
Languédias (Breton: Langadiarn), Saint Catihern
Lanmérin (Breton: Lanvilin), Saint Mérin (Sant Vilin in Breton)
Lannebert (Breton: Lannebeur), Saint Eber
Lanvellec (Breton: Lanvaeleg), Saint Maeleg
Lanvéoc (Breton: Lañveog), Saint Maeoc
Laurenan (Breton: Lanreunan), Saint Ronan
The Cumbric language was spoken in Cumbria up to the Early Middle Ages, and so some place names in Cumbria have a Celtic origin.
Lamplugh (Cumbria), Saint Moloch (the second element -plugh has also been explained as equivalent to Welsh plwyf 'parish' or blwch 'bare')
Lanercost Priory (Cumbria). The name "Lanercost" is derived from Llanerch, a British or Gaelic word meaning an open space in a wood.
Place names in Scotland
Some place names in Scotland have Pictish elements such as Aber and Lhan that are cognate with other Brythonic languages such as Welsh.
Lhanbryde (Gaelic: Lann Brìghde), Saint Bride (the place name is first recorded as Lamanbride in 1215, and the modern Welsh-like spelling is probably a 19th-century innovation)
Longannet, a village in Fife, occupied by a now-decommissioned power station. The name probably meant 'churchyard of the mother church.
The long running American soap opera One Life to Live is set in fictional Llanview, Pennsylvania, set just outside the city of Philadelphia. In the fictional universe of the soap, Llanview is the county seat for Llantano County. An important historical estate, Llanfair, is also set in Llanview.
