Caer Brân (EN) / Ker Bosvran (KW)

Type: 
Topographical Feature
Parish: 
Sancreed
Hundred: 
Penwith
Notes: 
The earliest historic form of this name dates from c.1740 whilst the historic forms for the related settlement at Brane date back to 1323, indicating that this topographical feature takes its name from the settlement rather than vice versa, as may normally be expected. Hence, Ker Bosvran rather than just Ker Vran.
Elements: 

ker

Meaning: 
fort

bos

Meaning: 
dwelling

bran

Meaning: 
crow
Elements notes: 
<ker> ‘fort, enclosed farm’ + <bos> ‘dwelling’ + <bran> ‘crow’ – but probably a personal name in this case.
Historic forms: 
Gear Brahne c.1740 (Weatherhill) Caerbran 1748 (Weatherhill) Caerbran 1754 (Weatherhill) Caer Bran c1810 (Gover, 1948) Caer Bran c.1870 (Weatherhill) Geer Vrane 1873 (Weatherhill) Brane Rings c.1880 (Weatherhill) Caer Brân 1887 (hillfort)(OS, 6”, 1887) (Bond, 2009) Caer Bran Mine 1887 (Sancreed)(OS, 6”, 1887) (Bond, 2009) Caer Brane 1960 (prehistoric hillfort)(Thomas, 1960, p55) (Bond, 2009) Caer Brân Farm 1980 (Sancreed)(OS, 1:25000, 1980) (Bond, 2009) Caer Brân 1980 (OS, 1:25000, 1980) (Bond, 2009) Caer Bran 1985 (Pool, 1985, p. 43) Caer Brân 2011 (Weatherhill, 2011)