Saints in Scottish Place-Names

Nectan of Wales

Other names

Nighton (ODS)

Introduction

Nectan of Wales is a Welsh hermit, according to ODS, son of a Welsh king, who established himself and was killed in N Devon. Feast usually 17 June, but May 18, Dec 4 and Feb 14 have also been associated with Nectan. Nectan had a significant medieval cult in SW England, with treasures, including a reliquary and gold-decorated staff, in the church at Hartland, N. Devon. This is one of five churches dedicated to him in Devon and Cornwall. Two Breton place-names may be connected with him (ODS, 361).

Gender

Male

Related Saints

Belongs to the group Nechtan, Nathalan (ns) (certain)

Feast days

Day of Year

Dec 4

Notes

Translation date

Day of Year

Feb 14

Notes

This was his feast day at St Winnoc, Cornwall, and is the date given in Wilson's Martyrology of 1640.

Day of Year

June 17

Notes

This is his death date. It was kept at Launceston, Exeter, Wells and elsewhere (ODS 361).

Saint in place-names

Though no place-name referring to this particular saint has been identified, it may be that some of the places dedicated to the non-specific group to which he/she belongs may in fact refer to him/her. Please check the non-specific group.

See: Nechtan, Nathalan (ns)