Field boundary near Tre-ricert, Nevern

Image: © Dylan Moore Taken: 24 Mar 2019

The place-name is interesting. Although North Pembrokeshire is intensely Welsh in culture, many of the more important settlements have English names, dating from the period of the Anglo-Norman invasion, when manors were handed out to the conquerors' fellow-travellers. This north-eastern part of the parish of Nevern was originally called Hodiston (as given in 1347), because it belonged to the Hood family, who came (as many did) from South Devon (see Image). At some point it was divided between brothers Richard Hood and Jordan Hood. So one part became known as Jordanston (translated as Tref-wrdan). The part east of the brook was called Ricardston, Richardston or Rikerston in the 16th century. Welsh forms were Tref Richard, Trefricard, Tre Rickart, or even Tre Rickart Hwd. From the 18th century, in local pronunciation the -r- was dropped, but the Victorian Ordnance Survey maps, which used names approved by local clergy and gentry, still gave it as "Tre-reikert".

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