|
|
Post by Isambard on Aug 29, 2008 8:40:48 GMT -5
What are the origins of the Tamar's name? Any biblical references? Any connection to Tomar in Portugal?  |
|
|
|
Post by donne on Aug 29, 2008 13:44:14 GMT -5
I seem to recall a suggested derivation based on two Celtic words meaning something like 'great water'. I'm not totally convinced, but certainly at its southern end it would have presented a formidable stretch of water to cross. On the other hand, with its source just a few miles short of the north Cornish coast it was an important trade route in times past.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cornish Terrier on Aug 29, 2008 17:02:21 GMT -5
From "Names for the Cornish - 300 Cornish Christian Names" Pub. 1984 Dyllansow Truran TAMARA - A name from folk-lore. According to Robert Hunt (Popular Romances of the West of England, 1871). TAMARA was a nymph who gave her name to the Tamar. Best I can do at the moment.  CT |
|
|
|
Post by donne on Aug 30, 2008 15:58:12 GMT -5
Well, here's my second go! From Wikiepedia "Thames: Latin "Tamesis" from Brythonic meaning "dark river" The River Thame and River Tamar have a similar etymological root". By the way, Brythonic is the group of languages comprising Breton, Cornish and Welsh. I know you shouldn't believe all you read on Wikipedia, but for my money it stands as good a chance as being correct in this instance as a popular 19th century antiquarian writer.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mal on Oct 23, 2008 5:33:32 GMT -5
This is a very interesting question. As far as I knew it, and that's not to say I have the last word, there are many place names in Britain that remain a mystery. The words Tamar, Thames, Humber and Severn are all a bit of a mystery. The great rivers have been argued to have pre-Celtic names, harking back to an even more primordial language and population that some have suggested be the mysterious Picts or even the Basques. Brythonic or P-Insular Celtic explanations are also possible.
Tamar and Thames- Lat. Tamesis do seem to be linked however and the "dark river" hypothesis is the most widely accepted.
The link to the Tomar in Portugal is also interesting as the Iberian peninsular was also linked in prehistoric times to Britain, mythological links between Ireland and Iberia exist and more scientific explanations suggest that the population of Iberia were also in part of Celtic origin.
|
|
