About a hundred in number, contained in old Icelandic alliterative memorial verses (inscribed á-heiti, i. e. names of rivers) from MSS. of the Snorra-Edda (ii. 479, 480, of the 13th century; the verses themselves may well be of the 12th century). Most of these rivers seem to belong to the northern Scottish counties, Caithness, Ross, Moray, Sutherland, and to the north-east of England. As specimens of an attempt at identification we add about thirty names, half for Scotland and half for England, leaving the rest open. In Scotland, Örmt, Armet W.; Sekin, Shin R.; Dyrn, Durn W.; Mein, Mein W.; Skialg, Shallag W.; Nis, Ness R.; Ekla or Ekkjall, Oykill R.; Spæ, Spey R.; Nið, Nith R.; Þöll, Thuil R.; Dyna, Don R.; Njörn, Nairn R.; Bro, Brora R.; Maura, Strath More; Apardion, Aberdeen (here used of the river). In England, Tems, Thames R.; Humra, Humber R.; Dun, Don R.; Alin, Alne R.; Svöl, Swale R.; Usa, Ouse R.; Þyn, Tyne R.; Tvedda, Tweed R.; Lodda, Ludd R.; Ver, Wear R.; Ruðr, Rother R.; Ró, Rye R.; Hrið, Reed R.; Myn, Maun R.; Mynt, Mint R. (Johnston). A few (ten or twelve) of the rivers in the verses are of other countries, being probably added for alliteration sake, e. g. Jordan, Tiber, Euphrates, Albis, Loire; these we have omitted. Some of these names also occur in old lays (Gm., Bm., Gs., Hkv.), and this list may thus afford a hint as to the age of these poems.
Alin.
Apardion.
Auð.
Bro.
Dun.
Dyna.
Dyrn.
Eiðr.
Eimir.
Einstika.
Ekin, Gm.
Ekla (Ekkjall, Orkn.)
Fara.
Fjörm, Gm.
Fold.
Freka.
Gera.
Gilling.
Gipul, Gm.
Glit.
Glöð.
Gnapa.
Goll.
Grað, Gm.
Gömul, Gm.
Göpul, Gm.
Hjölmun (?).
Hnipul.
Hnöpul.
Hrið, Gm.
Hrönn (twice), Gm.
Humra.
Höll, Gm.
Hörn, Gg.
Ið.
Kerlaug, Gm.
Koga.
Körmt, Gm.
Lá.
Lodda.
Luma.
Maura.
Mein.
Merk.
Morn.
Móða.
Myn.
Mynd.
Nauð.
Nið.
Nis. [Cod.)
Njörn (emend. mrn,
Numa.
Nyt, Gm.
Nöt, Gm.
Ofn.
Ogn (?), Hkv.
Olga.
Orun, Bm.
Rennandi, Gm.
Riða.
Rimr.
Rín, Gm.
Ró.
Ruðr, Gg.
Rögn.
Rönn.
Salin.
Sekin, Gm.
Sið, Gm.
Skialf.
Skialg.
Sliðr, Gm.
Spæ.
Strauma or Skrauma (?).
Strind.
Strönd.
Suðr.
Svinn.
Svöl, Gm.
Sylgr.
Sömd.
Tems.
Tvedda.
Uðr.
Usa, Fms. vi.
Val.
Valin.
Van, Gm.
Veg (Veg-svinn in one word, Gm.)
Vella.
Ver.
Við, Gm.
Vil.
Vin, Gm.
Vina (twice), Gm., also in Egils S.
Vind (Vönd, Gm.)
Ving.
Voð.
Voða.
Vöð.
Ylgr, Gm.
Yn.
Ysa (twice).
Þjóð (Þjóð-numa in one word, Gm.)
Þrym.
Þyn, Gm.
Þöll, Gm.
Örmt, Gm.
© Tim Stridmann