Banna Fell (Copeland) NY104171

Banna Fell (Copeland) NY104171, Bannyfell 1609, Banafell, Benefell 1610. PNCu lists the name but does not discuss it (Armstrong et al., 1950). Whaley says the meaning is uncertain but it could be "banner in the sense of 'boundary marker'".

The fell is on the current boundary between Allerdale and Copeland boroughs which represents a much older boundary. However I think this is clearly equivalent to Welsh bannau "peaks" as in Bannau Brycheiniog, the Welsh name for the Brecon beacons.  The name is found in Britanny as ban (Deshayes, 1999: 42) and in Cornish names as ban (Padel, 1985: 16). James discusses the meaning of the element from the Celtic banno- / bannā (A. James, 2016). It is either masculine or feminine in Welsh, though in the Brecon Beacons clearly feminine. Banna Fell seems to represent the plural, in Old Welsh and Cumbric presumably *bannou  with rounded vowels namely  -öü  (A. James, 2016). This ending became -eu in Middle Welsh in the 8th Century. If Cumbric developed in the same way Banna Fell, but particularly the earlier spellings in Bannyfell and Benefell may represent a Cumbric plural  Banneu "peaks". A look at the map will show that Banna Fell runs west to east with four peaks in line.

Banna Fell is the lower fell in the middle distance. Crag Fell behind.