Origins of terms Terminology of the British Isles

the earliest known names islands come ancient greek writings. though of original texts have been lost, excerpts quoted or paraphrased later authors. parts of massaliote periplus, merchants handbook describing searoutes of sixth century bc, used in translation in writings of avienus around ad 400. ireland referred ierne (insula sacra, sacred island, greeks interpreted it) inhabited race of hiberni (gens hiernorum), , britain insula albionum, island of albions . several sources around 150 bc ad 70 include fragments of travel writings of ancient greek pytheas around 320 bc, use terms albion , ierne , have been described referring british isles, including ireland, prettanic or brettanic islands (Βρεττανικαὶ νῆσοι) or αἱ Βρεττανιαι, literally britains . greek writers called peoples of these islands Πρεττανοί, later bρεττανοί (alternative spellings of , of relative words have single tau or double nu), name possibly corresponds priteni. these names derived celtic language term have reached pytheas gauls may have used term inhabitants of islands.

the romans called inhabitants of gaul (modern france) galli or celtae, latter term deriving greek name Κελτοί central european people. antiquarians of seventeenth century found language connections developed idea of race of celts inhabiting islands, term not used greeks or romans inhabitants of britain or ireland, nor there record of inhabitants of british isles referring such. nevertheless, roman administration later incorporated province of britannia praetorian prefecture of gaul, in common hispania, had celtiberians. armorica, bretons settle, part of gallia celtica, there tertiary relations between britons , gallic celts @ least. in addition, parisii of gallia celtica thought have founded aldborough in britain. belgae , silures came gallic areas, although not strictly celtic , gallia belgica , aquitainia.

priteni source of welsh language term prydain, britain, , has same source goidelic term cruithne. latter referred brythonic speaking inhabitants of scottish highlands , north of scotland, known cruithne in scottish gaelic, , romans called picts or caledonians.