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 AuxerreLlanbadarn Fawr, Saint PadarnLlanbadrig, Saint PatrickLlanbedr, Saint PeterLlanberis, Saint PerisLlandegla, Saint TeclaLlanddarog, Saint TwrogLlanddeusant, Anglesey, two saints: Saint Marcellus and Saint MarcellinaLlanddeusant, Carmarthenshire, two saints: Saint David and Saint TeiloLlandeilo, Saint TeiloLlandewi, Saint DavidLlandudno, Saint TudnoLlandybie, Saint TybieLlandyssil, Saint TyssilLlanedi, Saint EdithLlanegwad, Saint EgwadLlanellen, Saint HelenLlanelli, Saint ElliLlanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, Saint Mary and Saint TysilioLlanfoist, Saint FwystLlanfynydd, Mountain ChurchLlangadog, Saint CadocLlangain, Saint CainLlangathen, Saint CathanLlangeler, Saint CelertLlangelynnin, Saint CelyninLlangennech, Saint CennychLlangennith, Saint CenyddLlangollen, Saint CollenLlangolman, Saint ColmanLlangrannog, Saint Caranog or CarantocLlangunnor, Saint CynnwrLlangyfelach, Saint CyfelachLlangyndeyrn, Saint CyndeyrnLlangynllo, Saint CynlloLlangynog, Saint CynogLlangynwyd, Saint CynwydLlanharan, Saint AaronLlanidloes, Saint IdloesLlanilar, Saint HilaryLlanismel, Saint IsmaelLlanllawddog, Saint LlawddogLlanmadoc, Saint MadocLlanmartin, Saint MartinLlanishen (Llanisien), Saint IsanLlannon, Saint NonLlanpumsaint, five saints: Gwyn, Gwynno, Gwynoro, Ceithio and CelyninLlanrhidian, Saint RhidianLlanrwst, Saint GrwstLlansadwrn, Saint SadwrnLlansamlet, Saint SamletLlansawel, Saint SawellLlanstephan, Saint StephenLlantrisant, three saints: Illtud, Gwynno and DyfodwgLlanwenog, Saint GwenogLlanwrda, Saint CwrdaLlandaff, named after the River TaffLlandrindod, named after the Trinity (Welsh: y Drindod)Llanfachraeth, Church of the little beachLlanfaes, 'Church of the Field' from llan + maes (field)Llangefni, named after the River Cefni (Previously known as Llangyngar, after Saint Cyngar)Llan, MontgomeryshireLlanbradach, name evolved from Nant BradachLlancarfan, name evolved from NantcarfanLlandarcy, named after William Knox D'ArcyLlandovery, 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 LlyfniLlanmorlais, name evolved from Glan MorlaisLlanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Montgomeryshire - llan + rhaeadr (waterfall) in the cantref of MochnantLlanuwchllyn, Gwynedd - llan + uwch + llyn (llan above the lake)Llanymawddwy, Gwynedd - llan + yn + Mawddwy (llan in the district of Mawddwy)Lancaut (Welsh: Llan Cewydd), GloucestershireLlancillo, HerefordshireLandican (Birkenhead, Merseyside), Saint TeganLlandinabo, HerefordshireLlanfair Waterdine, ShropshireLlangarron, HerefordshireLlanrothal, HerefordshireLlanveynoe, HerefordshireLlanwarne, HerefordshireLlanymynech, ShropshireLlanyblodwel, ShropshireLannahevran, St Keverne, Saint AchevranLannaled, St Germans, Saint AledLannanta or Ewni Lananta, Lelant, Saint AntaLannbrobus, Probus, Saint ProbusLanndege, Old Kea, Saint KeaLanndewydnek, Landewednack, Saint GwynnekLanndhylyk, Landulph, Saint DelocLanndoho, St Kew near Wadebridge, Saint Dochou, similar to the Welsh LlandochauLannentenin, St Anthony in Meneage, Saint AntoniusLannewa, St Ewe, Saint EwaLannfyek, Feock, Saint FeocLanngostentin, Constantine, Saint ConstantineLannhernow, Lanherne, Saint HernowLanngenewyt, Langunnett, Saint CyneuitLanngorrek or Lanngorrow, Crantock, Saint GorocLannhydrek, Lanhydrock, Saint HydrekLannjowan, Leyowne, Saint JohnLannkynhorn or Lanngenhorn, Linkinhorne, Saint CynhoernLannlivri, Lanlivery, Saint LyfriLannmoren or Lannvorenn, Lamorran, Saint Morenna or Saint MorenLannoweyn, Cubert, Saint OweinLannreydhek or Lannreydhow, Lanreath, Saint Reydhek or Saint ReydhowLannrigon, Laregan and LarigganLannrihorn, Ruan Lanihorne, Saint RihoernLannsalwys, Lansallos, Saint SalwysLannseles, Launcells, Saint SelesLannsiek, St Just in Roseland, Saint SiekLannstevan, Launceston, Saint StephenLannsulyan, Luxulyan, Saint SulyanLannudhno, St Erth, Saint UdhnoLannunwal, LaninvalLannust, St Just in Penwith, Saint JustLannvihal, St Michael Caerhays, Saint MichaelLannvorek, Mevagissey, Saint MorecLannvowsedh, St Mawes, Saint MaudetLannwedhenek, Padstow, Saint GuethenocLannwenek, Lewannick, Saint GwenekLannwolesyk, Lellizzick, Saint GwledicLannworon, Goran, Saint GoronLannystli, Gulval, Saint YstliKellilann, Clann, enclosure groveLannbesow, Lambessow, birch tree enclosureLannbron, Lambourne, hill enclosureLanndreth, St Blazey, religious enclosure by a beach or ferryLanneves, Lanivet, sacred grove religious enclosureLanneyst, Laneast, unknownLanngordhow, Fowey, religious enclosure of tribesLannmanagh, Lammana, monk's enclosureLannmanagh, Looe Island, monk's enclosureLannpenn, Lampen, head enclosureLannsans, Lezant, holy religious enclosureLannvab, Mabe, son's enclosureLannvyhan or Ladnvian, Laddenvean, small religious enclosureLannwydhek, Mylor, wooded religious enclosureSeghlan, Sellan, dry enclosureLandrevik, 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 clearingLannergh, Landrake, woodland clearingLannergh, Lannarth, woodland clearingLannergh, Lanner, woodland clearingLannergh, Larrick, woodland clearingLannergh, Larrick (South Petherwin), woodland clearingLannergh, Muchlarnick, woodland clearingLansewigy, 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 KeaLampaul-Guimiliau (Breton: Lambaol-Gwimilio), Saint PaulLanderneau (Breton: Landerne), Saint TénénanLangolen (Breton: Langolen), Saint CollenLandeleau (Breton: Landelo), Saint TeiloLandoac (Breton: Landoac), Saint DoacLanildut (Breton: Lannildud), IlltudLannédern (Breton: Lannedern), Saint EdernLandévennec (Breton: Landevenneg), WinwaloeLandivisiau (Breton: Landivizio), Saint GwisiauLandudal (Breton: Landudal), TudwalLanhouarneau (Breton: Lanhouarne), Saint HervéLandévant (Breton: Landevant), Saint TevantLandudec (Breton: Landudeg), Saint TadecLandunvez (Breton: Landunvez), Sainte TunvezLangoëlan (Breton: Lanwelan), Saint GouelanLanguidic (Breton: Langedig), Saint CyneddLandéda (Breton: Landeda), Saint Tédia or Saint TydeuLandujan (Breton: Landujan), Saint Tudin (Tudwal)Langast (Breton: Lanwal), Saint GalLangourla (Breton: Langourlae), Saint GourlaeLangrolay-sur-Rance (Breton: Langorlae), Saint GourlaeLanguenan (Breton: Langenan), Saint KenanLangonnet (Breton: Langoned), Saint Konoed (Saint Cynwyd)Lanmodez (Breton: Lanvaodez), Saint MaudezLandrévarzec (Breton: Landrevarzeg), Saint HarzhegLanarvily (Breton: Lannarvili), Saint HaeruiliLanvénégen (Breton: Lannejenn), Saint MenegeanLanvollon (Breton: Lannolon), Saint VolonLandaul (Breton: Landaol), (Perhaps Saint Teilo)Landébia (Breton: Landebiav), Saint TebiavLannéanou (Breton: Lanneanoù), Saint LeanouLa Harmoye (Breton: Lanhervoed), Saint HarmoëlLa Landec (Breton: Lannandeg), Saint DegLandéhen (Breton: Landehen), Saint GuéhenLa Méaugon (Breton: Lanvealgon), Saint AlgonLancieux (Breton: Lanseeg), Saint Séoc (or Sieu)Langueux (Breton: Langaeg), Saint GuéthénocLanhélin (Breton: Lanhelen), Saint HelenLaniscat (Breton: Lanniskad), Saint EscatLanneuffret (Breton: Lanneured), Saint GwévretSaint-Urbain (Breton: Lannurvan), Saint UrvanLannion (Breton: Lannuon)Landebaëron (Breton: Landebaeron)La Malhoure (Breton: Lanvelor)La Nouaye (Breton: Lanwaz)Lanrigan (Breton: Lanrigan), Saint RiganLanrivoaré (Breton: Lanriware), Saint RiwareLa 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 CatihernLanmérin (Breton: Lanvilin), Saint Mérin (Sant Vilin in Breton)Lannebert (Breton: Lannebeur), Saint EberLanvellec (Breton: Lanvaeleg), Saint MaelegLanvéoc (Breton: Lañveog), Saint MaeocLaurenan (Breton: Lanreunan), Saint RonanThe 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.