Kelynack Explained

Kelynack (from Cornish: Kelynek is a settlement in west Cornwall, England, UK.

Geography

Kelynack is on the Penwith peninsula approximately four miles (6 km) north north-east of Land's End and one mile (1.6 km) south of St Just.[1] It lies along the B3306 road which connects St Ives to the A30 road, and is the last settlement before the road joins the A30. Kelynack lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Almost a third of Cornwall has AONB designation, with the same status and protection as a National Park. Kelynack is also the name of one of the three school houses at Cape Cornwall School.

Toponymy

First recorded in the Domesday Book as Chelenoc, then Kelkennek (1284), Kellenyek (1286), Kellenek (1300), Kelleynek (1302), Kellenick (1346), Kalynack (1589 and 1732), Killenick (1842).

It is a Brittonic place-name in -ōgon, suffix meaning "place of" > Welsh -og, Old Breton -oc > Breton -ec [-eg], from Proto-Celtic *-ako- like Gaulish -acon > -acum > -ac, -ay, -ey meaning "abundant with holly"[2] or more commonly "holly grove".,[3] same as Breton Quelneuc "place of the holly-trees, holly-tree grove".

History

Kelynack was mentioned in the Domesday Book where it was listed as Chelenoc, and as the Tithing of Kelynack in the Assize Rolls of 1284.[4]

Kelynack Board School was opened on 2 June 1880 with accommodation for one hundred children.[5] [6] In November 1882 a government inspector reported that the ″scholars are very neat and well-conducted; they are, of course, very backward; but a good beginning has been made.″[7]

Pronounced (KEY – LIE – NACK) or pronounced (KELY (As in rely) – NACK)

Notes and References

  1. OS Explorer 102. Land's End. 2015. Ordnance Survey. Southampton. 978 0 319 24304 6.
  2. Book: Craig Weatherhill . Craig Weatherhill . The Place-Names of the Land's End Peninsula . 2017 . Penwith Press . 9781999777500 . 123.
  3. Book: Pool. Peter A S. The Place-Names of West Penwith. 1985. Peter Pool. Heamoor. 55. Second.
  4. Pool. P. A. S.. The Tithings of Cornwall. Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall. 1981. VIII. New Series. pt 4. 275–337.
  5. News: St Just. The Cornishman. 98. 27 May 1880. 5.
  6. News: The Best Kind Of Attendance Officer. The Cornishman. 160. 4 August 1881.
  7. News: Kelynack Board School . The Cornishman . 229 . 23 November 1882 . 4.