Angus J Huck

6-2-2003

lau(r)

l
Dear Luisma,
 
I have previously shown how Iberian uses the number "five" (bos/boist/borst(e)) to express an indeterminate number.
This effect is found only in inscriptions and not in toponyms, as far as I know.
 
A number of Iberian toponyms, however, incorporate lau(r) "four", which may have a similar function (and it is also found in a few personal names).
 
There are at least four (!) instances of Lauro - Llerona, Catalonia, Laury near Valencia, Lora de Estepa, Andalucia, and the present-day Lauro, Bizkaia.
 
This could well indicate a plot of land the size of four units of measurement, rather like the English Fivehyde, Fivehead, Fyfield, etc, and have nothing to to with indeterminate quantity.
 
However, Luaron Akron (Cape Carvoeira, Portugal), is surely *lau-arri "many rocks", and Loarre, Upper Aragon, may well be identical.
 
Then there is Lautulae, a defile between Tarracina and Fundi, in Latium south of Rome. This would appear to be *lau-tulo "many holes".
 
And there is the River Lowther in Cumbria, UK. This was Lauther 1160, Louther 1278 (Lauder in Scotland is the same). The name may well represent an earlier *lau-turri "many springs", and probably refers to the numerous natural springs in the Lowther Valley. (Peg Huck's Pond, in the grounds of Lowther Castle, is named after one of my relatives.)
 
And there is also Lautrego, the old name for Lautrec, east of Toulouse. This was probably *lau-turri-ko "of the many springs".
 
With best wishes,
 
 
Angus J Huck