Re: more information
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In reply to:
more information
4/13/00
Andrea
I'm not sure if I have contacted you re this before, but I think the story of the Penaluna name having Spanish origins, particularly via the Armada is open to challenge.
There are two alternative opinions, namely that the word is a derviation of Penallum which is old Cornish from "from the top or head of the ponds" or as follows from A New Cornish Dictionary by R. Morton Nance published in 1990 and reprinted in 1994:
"alenna, alena (for a'n, le-na, Late aledna) adverb from there.........in place names a. has sometimes become aluna and taken the adjectivl meaning "distant" as in penaluna, Fente'luna'."
Both suggest that the word describes a place or gathering of people.I also recall a reference to a Penallum in the Doomsday Book, apparently having one bow and five arrows in the service of the King, but haven't neen able to locate the original source.It therefore looks as if the name could precede the Spanish Armada.
Sincerely
Ken Penaluna