The Gabrantovices were a conjectural group of Ancient Britons inhabiting the coast of what is now Yorkshire in Northern England. They may have been a sub-tribe or sept of the Brigantes or of the Parisi.[1]

As with their proposed neighbours, the Lopocares, the Gabrantovices are not directly attested: the name is taken from Ptolemy's name Γαβραντουικων Ευλιμενος Κολπος, or in Latin Gabrantvicvm Sinus — the Gabrantovician Harbour. This is identified with modern Bridlington Bay or Filey Bay.[2] The meaning of the name has been discussed as deriving from one of two Celtic roots, either *gabro- meaning a goat (Welsh gafr) or *gabranto- meaning "riding a horse" with second element meaning "fight", so "Goat warriors" or "Cavalry warriors".[3][4]

References

  1. ^ Brown, Ian (2009). Beacons in the landscape : the hillforts of England and Wales. Oxford: Windgather Press. p. 222. ISBN 9781909686274.
  2. ^ A.L.F. Rivet, C. Smith, The Place-names of Roman Britain, Batsford (1979)
  3. ^ Helmut Birkhan, Germanen und Kelten bis zum Ausgang der Römerzeit, Böhlau (1970)
  4. ^ K Jackson, Journal of Roman Studies XXXVIII (1948), 57
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