The Catalauni

[Brennus]

Can anyone offer a translation of the name of the northern Gallic tribe the Catalauni? That is the Catalauni of Gaul not the Catuvellauni of Britain although i am interested to see there is a similarity in the meaning of these tribes names.

Thank you!

[Arjos]

I must say, given the similarity and the fact that they lived in Belgica, I wouldn't be surprised if the Catuvellauni were their emigrated kinsmen...
Kat- stands for battle, launos should mean plain, so something like "Those of the battlefield" or "Plain-dwelling Warriors" I assume, but really I have no linguistic degree :P

[Brennus]

I must say, given the similarity and the fact that they lived in Belgica, I wouldn't be surprised if the Catuvellauni were their emigrated kinsmen...

I fear, my friend, you are walking very close to a trap which has blighted British archaeology since the late 1800s; that the Catuvellauni may be Belgic invaders. I would be tempted to see the Catuvellauni as related kinsmen also but likely arriving in Britain alot earlier, possibly as a component of the Marnian culture. Alas my knowledge is not sufficient say anything more on the subject than this.

Thank you though for your proposed translation.

[Arjos]

Yes, I wouldn't know how closely related in time, even though Kat- (battle) ual/gual (strong/ruler), means something completely different as "Battle Leaders", unless it's related to the god Uellaunos meaning "Warriors of Vellaunus" or "Battle (blood) Pourers/Shedders"...
With their "confederative/high king" status, Catuvellauni could be just the name of a bigger entity, formed by many tribes...

Actually the Catalauni, could be bearing the same name: Kat- (battle) -la- (ual/gual) -unoi (ones) "The Battle Leaders" :P

In the end, with their name remaining in geography to mark those flatlands, I'd lean for "Those of the battlefield"...

[moonburn]

so britain gaul anyone wants to take it to the next level ande say catallunã :? very similar names i must say (altough i´m not aware of any conection but lets play conspiracy theory)