Saints in Scottish Place-Names
Funded by a Leverhulme Trust Project Grant
Nechtan Neir
Introduction
O Riain, Dictionary has the following notes (512): Nechtan Neir: Commemorated in Ireland by early 9th c (Mart. O and Mart. T) on 8th Jan, and said in Mart. O to be from Alba ('de Albae'), which at this time could simply mean Britain rather than what is now called Scotland (Alba in modern Gaelic). His death as 'Nectain Neir' is recorded in AU at 679. The Drummond Calendar, in ?11th c, also records Nechtan as being in Britannia. Mart. G commemorates a Nechtan on this day but appears to mean a female saint. Gloss associates saint with Dun Geimhin (Dungiven, barony of Keenaght, Co. Derry). Scribe of L (Mart O notes) connects Nechtan both with Alba and with Dun Geimhin. For argument that Nér might represent Deer (O'Rahilly) or Fetternear (Clancy) see Clancy 2002 p 414-5.
Gender
Male
Obituary
AU 679 Dormitatio Nectain Neir
Feast days
Day of Year
Jan 8
Calendar
Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee
Source code
Mart. O
Source title
Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee
Editors
Stokes, Whitley
Year
1905
Notes
Full title is Félire Óengusso Céli Dé, The Martyrology of Oengus the Culdee, critically edited from Ten Manuscripts, with a Preface, Translation, Notes and Indices.
Quote from source
Nechtán nár de Albae
Notes
Stokes' chosen reading of nár has several variants in the MSs: neir in C and F, ner in L, nair in R1 and LB.
Day of Year
Jan 8
Calendar
Source code
Mart.T
Source title
Martyrology of Tallaght
Editors
Best, R. I. and Lawlor, H. J.
Year
1931
Notes
From the Book of Lesinter and MS 5100-4 in the Royal Library, Brussels.
Quote from source
N(echt)an ner
Notes
The reading in Br. is Nechtan an ner - with line over er.
Day of Year
Jan 8
Calendar
Source code
Mart. G
Source title
Martyrology of Gorman
Editors
Stokes, Whitley
Year
1895
Notes
Full title is Félire Húi Gormáin, The Martyrology of Gorman edited from a manuscript in the Royal library, Brussels, with a preface, translation, notes and indices. It is published by the Henry Bradshaw Society.
Quote from source
Nechtain noebog (Nechtan holy virgin)
Notes
Gloss is: o Dhún Geimhin i cCíannachta Glinne Geimhin
Saint in place-names
Names
| Place known as | Name (plus degree of certainty that this saint is commemorated here) |
| Cill Mo-Neachdain, eccles. KKV (Iona) | Cill Mo-Neachdain (maybe) |
| St Mary's Church, Cowie, Fetteresso | St Nathalan's Chapel (maybe) |
| St Nachalan's Well, GTG | St Nachalan's Well (maybe) |
| St Nathalan's Church, Tullich | St Nathalan's Church (maybe) |
Place-name data
The place-name data featured in this resource is copyright of the University of Glasgow.
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OS 1840-1880 map:
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