Xubia

Camino Inglés

A Coruña · La CoruñaGalicia

Pre-Roman hydronym linked to the paleo-European base *sub- of hydronymic value, also present in Atlantic toponyms such as Suevia (Roman Suevia) and Suances (Cantabria). It designates the river that crosses the town and flows into the Ferrol estuary, alongside the small population settled on its right bank.

The hamlet of Xubia is documented from the 11th century in cartularies of the monastery of San Martiño de Xubia, Benedictine foundation of the year 977. The monastery was the main port of Jacobean maritime trade between England, Ireland and Galicia during the 12th to 15th centuries. After the disentailment, it served as Royal Arms Factory of Xubia (1771–1850), pioneer of Galician industrial metallurgy.

Evolution of the name

  1. *sub- pre-Roman Paleo-European before the 3rd century BC
  2. Xuvia / Xubia medieval Galician from the 11th century

Reflections, to the letter

The name belongs first to the river, not to the town it waters. Leaving Xubia for Neda confirms it: the Camino follows the Xubia's bank along the riverside path, past mills and the Presa do Rei, where the water pools and spills in small falls. The current that christened the place is the same one that escorts each step toward the Ferrol estuary.

Languages of origin

Origin status

confirmed

Glossary

Hydronym
A place name derived from the name of a river, lake or watercourse (Carrión, Eo, Sella, Deba, Cueza).
Hydronymic
Pertaining to hydronyms (place names from watercourses).
Pre-Roman
Prior to the Romanisation of the Iberian peninsula (3rd century BC); applied to toponyms, linguistic roots and populations.
Royal Arms Factory of Xubia
Industrial establishment founded in 1771 by Charles III in the old Benedictine monastery of San Martiño de Xubia, dedicated to the manufacture of light armament for the Royal Navy (muskets, bayonets, swords). It operated until 1850 with five hundred workers at its peak and was one of the first royal manufactures of the northern peninsula. Today it houses the Naval Industry Museum.

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 Inglés

  1. ··· toward Santiago
  2. Cambre
  3. Cabanas
  4. O Burgo
  5. A Coruña
  6. Fene
  7. Neda
  8. Xubia
  9. Ferrol