Where does “Welsh” come from?
Welsh comes from Middle English Walsch, from Old English wēlisċ, from Proto-Germanic walhiskaz, derived from Proto-Germanic walhaz, which is related to Proto-Celtic wolkos.
Welsh (English): British; pertaining to the Celtic peoples who...
Definitions
- British; pertaining to the Celtic peoples who...
Ancestry of “Welsh”, step by step
Welsh traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Middle English Walsch
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | Walsch | Welsh; from or of Wales or its people; unusual,... |
| 2 | Old English | wælisc | — |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | walhaz | foreigner, non-Germanic person |
| 4 | Latin | Volcae | a Gallic tribal confederation; name of a Celtic... |
| 5 | Proto-Celtic | wolkos | hawk |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | welg- | wet, damp |
via Old English welise
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old English | welise | — |