Pîl is a Welsh placename element. The name is defined as the tidal reach of a waterway, suitable as a harbour, and is common along the Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary. The highly localised distribution suggests it may have been part of a common maritime culture on the waterways within the tidal reach of the Severn Sea.
Newport in Monmouthshire (1813) by Edward Pugh, showing the castle, bridge and ships docked at Arthur's Pîl (or Town Pîl) beyond.
St. Pierre Pill was the site of a much larger harbour associated with legends of St Tewdric. It remains in use today as the Chepstow and District Yacht Club.
Image: Pembroke Castle June 2011
Image: Newport Castle by JMW Turner
The place-names of Wales derive in most cases from the Welsh language, but have also been influenced by linguistic contact with the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Anglo-Normans and modern English. Toponymy in Wales reveals significant features of the country's history and geography, as well as the development of the Welsh language. Its study is promoted by the Welsh Place-Name Society.
The castle at Caernarfon (meaning in Welsh "the fortress in Arfon"), which was formerly anglicised as "Carnarvon" or "Caernarvon". The name "Arfon" refers to the area "opposite Môn" or Anglesey.
St. Mary's Church (Llanfair) gave its name to the village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll in Anglesey
