Why Do Lots Of Places In Cornwall Start With Tre

What Does Tre Mean In Cornwall?

Almost every place in Cornwall, like Trebarwith, Tregony, Trenance, and Trelawny, starts with “Tre.” In the ancient Cornish language, as mentioned earlier, “Tre” means “homestead” or “farmstead,” and today, it can be referred to as a “town.” 

So, names starting with “Tre” often refer to the historic settlements or farms that were once located in these areas. They even provide valuable insight into the region’s rich history and culture. 

Today, even though the Cornish language is not as widely spoken, its influence on these place names remains a fascinating subject of study for both linguists and historians. 

How Many Places In Cornwall Start With Tre?

There are approximately 1,300 places in Cornwall that have the prefix “Tre” in their names. So, it’s no surprise that 2.9% of the Cornish population in 1861 boasted surnames derived from these place names.

That said, some Tre surnames may have become extinct over the centuries or merged with more common names. However, some places could give rise to multiple surnames, such as Trewern, a farm in Madron near Penzance.

Trewern was originally Treyouran, meaning Uren’s farm, with Uren being a common Brittonic Celtic first name. Interestingly, the three-syllable name Treuren evolved into Truran over time. However, some families kept the original name as Trewern.

Why Are So Many Places Called St. In Cornwall?

Many places in Cornwall start with “St” because they are named after a local saint. In fact, Cornwall is often referred to as the land of saints. Boasting a rich culture of Celtic Christianity, many Cornish saints were revered in the region for their contributions to the faith. 

Notably, some of the most well-known Cornish saints include St. Piran, St. Petroc, St. Ives, and St. Michael. These saints were often associated with specific locations, such as churches or holy wells, and over time, these locations became known by the name of the saint. 

Today, many of these places bear the name “St.,” such as St. Austell, St. Agnes, St. Blazey, and St. Just. The prevalence of these names is a testament to the enduring influence of Cornwall’s Christian heritage on its culture and identity. 

Here’s a brief look at some popular Cornwall places starting with St:

What Cornish Surnames Start With Tre?

Just like place names in Cornwall, you will find many surnames starting with “Tre” and other common prefixes. So, if you want to figure out if you’ve got Cornish ancestry, your surname could be a major clue!

Between 1815 and the onset of World War I, as many as half a million people left Cornwall, with over half settling in other parts of the UK. The rest migrated to places like Australia, North and South America, New Zealand, South Africa, and Europe. 

During this time, Cornwall was a significant mining district with rich copper and tin resources, and its skilled miners were highly sought after for their expertise. They exported their knowledge and technology to mines across Britain. As such, many famous personalities, like actors Robert Redford and Cate Blanchett and singer Shakin’ Stevens, can trace their ancestry back to Cornish mining emigrants.

Stephen Colwill, a genealogist, used census records to trace specific Cornish surnames and mining professions throughout the UK. He discovered clusters of Cornish mining communities in locations like Cumbria, Wales, and Northumberland. Here’s a list of some common Cornish surnames:

• Tre (e.g. Tregoning, Trevaskis, Treloar, Trevethan, Trethewey, Tregenza, Treweek)
• Ros (e.g. Rosemergy, Roskruge, Roskilly, Rosevear, Rosewarne)
• Pol (e.g. Polglaze, Polmear, Polkinhorne, Polsue)
• Bos and Bod (e.g. Boscawen, Bosanko, Bodilly, Bosustow)
• Lan (e.g. Landeryou, Lansallos, Lander, Lanyon)
• Car (e.g. Carvossow, Carlyon, Carthew, Carveth, Cargeeg)
• Nans (e.g. Nankervis, Nancekivell, Nance, Nancarrow, Nanchollas)
• Pen (e.g. Penaluna, Pengelly, Penberthy, Penhaligon, Penhale)
• Chy (e.g. Chellew, Chirgwin, Chegwin, Chenhalls, Chynoweth)

To Sum Up

So, you see, the prevalence of the prefix “Tre” in Cornish place names reflects the rich history and culture of the region. These names not only provide insight into the geography of Cornwall but also the language and customs of the Cornish people. 

Furthermore, the existence of many surnames derived from these place names is proof of the lasting influence of Cornwall’s unique heritage. So, whether you’re a local or a curious traveller, exploring the origins of these names can deepen your understanding and appreciation of this fascinating region!