Where does “Gael” come from?

Gael (Irish) comes from Irish Gaoidheal, from Middle Irish Gaídel, from Old Irish Goídel, from Old Welsh Guoidel, from Proto-Brythonic guɨðel, from Proto-Celtic wēdus, from Proto-Indo-European widʰu- — forest, wood; tree, beam.

Gael (Irish): Gael, Irish person; Highlander

Definitions

  1. Gael, Irish person; Highlander

Ancestry of “Gael”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1IrishGaoidheal—
2Middle IrishGaídel—
3Old IrishGoídelGael
4Old WelshGuoidelwild man, warrior
5Proto-Brythonicguɨðelsavage, woodsman
6Proto-Celticwēduswild
7Proto-Indo-Europeanwidʰu-forest, wood; tree, beam

Words derived from “Gael”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European widʰu- →Every word from Proto-Celtic wēdus →Every word from Proto-Brythonic guɨðel →