Goiriz
LugoGalicia
Possessive toponym of Germanic root. The most sustained reading derives it from the Gothic anthroponym Gauthareiks or Gothirici ('ruler of the Goths', composed of gauth- 'Goth' + -reiks 'ruler, powerful'), in Latinised genitive. It belongs to the dense layer of Visigothic toponyms in inland Galicia.
We saw earlier the mechanics of Gothic toponyms in -reiks when discussing Allariz (Alaricus, 'ruler of all'). The same root appears here in another Germanic two-meaning name: Gauthareiks, 'ruler of the Goths' or 'Gothic ruler', composed of the ethnonym gauth- (the Goth tribe itself) and the base reiks ('ruler, powerful'), cognate of Latin rex and Sanskrit rāj- in Indo-European *reg-. The Latinised suffix -ici marks the possessive genitive: villa Gothirici, 'the estate of the Gothic ruler'. Galician toponymy preserves an especially dense layer of these Germanic toponyms: we already saw Allariz, Sandiás, Guitiriz, Mondariz, Baltar; we now add Goiriz, in the heart of the Terra Chá. The hamlet belongs to the Vilalba council and preserves a parish church of San Xoán, Romanesque reformed in the Baroque. The toponym is minoritarily pronounced Goirís in local speech, maintaining the medieval sibilant.
Evolution of the name
- Gauthareiks / Gothirici Latinized Gothic 6th — 9th centuries
- Goiriz medieval Galician from the 12th century
Glossary
- Anthroponym
- A personal name, often used as the base of toponyms (Lucronius → Logroño, Sigerici → Castrojeriz, Sacavus → Sacavém).
- Ethnonym
- The name of an ethnic group (Astures, Vascones, Suevi, Vardulos…). Often the base of toponyms: Castro Urdiales (from the Vardulos), Bercianos (from El Bierzo).
- Indo-European
- A linguistic family encompassing Italic, Celtic, Germanic, Slavic, Greek, Sanskrit, Persian and other languages. Basque is NOT Indo-European — it is a language isolate.
Sources
- Piel, J.M. & Kremer, D. — Hispano-gotisches Namenbuch
- Navaza, G. — Toponimia de Galicia
If you have a correction or an observation about this information,
please write to us through the form at the foot of the site.
We will grow more precise thanks to your contribution.
Camino del Norte