Saints in Scottish Place-Names
Funded by a Leverhulme Trust Project Grant
Cóeti of Iona
Other names
Ceti
Introduction
There is only one reference to Coeti of Iona in the early literature: his obit. There is, however a ‘Ceti epscop’ who appears in the guarantor list of Cáin Adomnaín in 697 and it is assumed that this is the same person. It has been argued that his name might be English (Charles-Edwards 2000, 308), possibly related to the names Cedd and Ceadda. These last names were held by brothers, both bishops (of the East Saxons and the Mercians, respectively), whose careers are described by Bede (HE iii.21,23). Though Coeti, Cedd and Ceadda are certainly three distinct historical persons there can be some difficulty in disentangling their cults, especially given the apparent proximity of the feast-days of Coeti and Cedd. Cedd's day in the ninth-century Old English Martyrology is October 26th (Herzfeld 1900) while the day assigned to Coedi of Iona is usually October 24th.
Associated places
Iona
Obituary
AU 712 Coeddi episcopus Iae pausat. AT Ceode espoc Iae pausat.
Related Saints
Belongs to the group Cóeti, Mo Ched (ns) (certain)
Same as Cóeti of Donaghedy (probable)
Related Personal Names
Name
Coeti (certain)
Feast days
Day of Year
August 9
Calendar
Glenorchy Psalter, BL Egerton 2899
Source code
Glenorchy psalter
Source title
Glenorchy Psalter, BL Egerton 2899
Notes
Glenorchy psalter The Glenorchy Psalter (British Library, Egerton 2899)
Quote from source
Mocadii
Notes
This is an addition to the Calendar. He is designed a bishop. It cannot be certain that this is Coeti of Iona.
Day of Year
August 9
Calendar
Scottish Entries in the Martyrology of Aberdeen
Source code
Mart. Ab.
Source title
Scottish Entries in the Martyrology of Aberdeen
Editors
Forbes, A. P.
Secondary Title
Kalendar of Scottish Saints
Pages
125-137
Year
1872
Notes
Mart. Ab. Scottish Entries in the Martyrology of Aberdeen, in Forbes 1872, 125-137
Quote from source
In Scocia Mochoat confessoris
Notes
It cannot be certain that this is Coeti of Iona. Note that here he is designated a confessor.
Day of Year
August 9
Quote from source
'Machead’s day at Kirktown of Fortingale, in Athole, 9 day' [August]
Notes
It has been assumed that this fair commemorates Coedi of Iona, but this is not certain. Forbes is quoting from Leith’s True Almanack for 1707. 'Dail Mo Choid on Duneaves Farm [nr Fortingall] commemorates Coeddi or Ceti, Bishop of Iona, who died in 712. His fair, Féill Mo Choid, was held at Fortingall on the first Tuesday of August (OS) or on 20th August (NS), when lambs were sold. Another market of the same name, or an offshoot of the same market, was held at Coshieville (Cois a’ Bhile) a few miles east of Fortingall, on 9th August (OS). These fairs ceased between 1880 and 1890' (Watson 1937, xxxiv.)
Day of Year
Oct 24
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
Coeti
Notes
It cannot be certain that this is a commemoration of Coeti of Iona. The compilers of Mart. Don. are the first to make this suggestion.
Day of Year
Oct 24
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
Caeti gloss: epscop
Day of Year
Oct 24
Calendar
Source code
Mart. Do.
Source title
The Martyrology of Donegal
Editors
Todd, J. H.
Year
1864
Notes
Other author to be specified.
Quote from source
Caeti, epscob
Notes
This source also includes speculation about the possible identificatin of this Coeti: ‘The Cain Adamnain states that Ceti, the bishop, was one of the saints who were security to free the women from every kind of captivity and slavery; and it is likely that it is of him he speaks.’
Saint in place-names
Names
Place known as | Name (plus degree of certainty that this saint is commemorated here) |
Dail Mo Choid, Fortingall | Dail Mo Choid (certain) |
Fuaran Chad, Logierait | Fuaran Chad () |
Inchcadin, haugh, Kenmore | Inchcadin (certain) |
Inchkeith, island Kinghorn | Inchkeith (probable) |
Logierait, parish | Logie Mo-Ched (certain) |