Wales 1690

On an early 16th-century recreation of a Ptolemaic map of the British Isles, a singular name Albion denoted what today are the countries of England, Wales and Scotland. There is no mention of Wales or any other region other than Albion. In contrast, the region Wales is denoted by a few rivers, such as Tisobius, Touerobi, Strucia, and the territory of Octapitarum Pino (St. David's Head). On another Ptolemaic map recreation from the same century, cities such as Brannogenium (Leintwardine), Luentinum (in Carmanthershire), Maridunum (Carmarthen), Bullęum and regions such as Demetæ, Silures, Ordouices are mentioned. But on the actual maps of the 17th century, one could clearly see cities such as Pēbroke (Pembroke), St. David (St. David's Head), Aberwi (Aberystwyth) and St. Asaph and the island of Anglesey. But a distinct name, 'Wales,' was still missing, although, in ancient Roman times, the country was denoted by Britannia Secunda'. 

Although the name 'Wales' or 'Walles' does appear on the late 17th century maps, it doesn't mean the term wasn't used before. But since Wales and England were collectively known as the Kingdom of England between the 13th century to the year of the Union, 1707, most maps skipped showing Wales on them. Post-1707, maps in various European languages printed Wales as per their pronunciations - Pays de Galles, Wallia, Kembre, Gales, Valisa, Cymru, an Bhreatain Bheag, Bretyn, A'Chuimrigh, Kembra, Galles, Vels, Galler etc. What's more fascinating is most of these names are nowhere closer to the word 'Wales', then how come it's pronounced so differently across the globe? 

The answer is simple; like many other countries, Cymru is Wales in Welsh. The word 'Wales' derives from Old English Wealh which denotes the Britons. That's why the origin of Britons is located in today's Wales. The word wealh and wala were used to denote foreigners and added by a prefix of the land they migrated to, an ethnicity was named. Gaulwalas became people from Gaul (France), Rumwalas from Romania etc. 

'Fellow countrymen' in Brythonic or British translates as Cymru (derivatives: Cymry, Cymraes etc.). The name evolved into Cambria, and today's English counties of Cumberland and Cumbria derive their names from here. Also, the word 'Welsh' is known as Cymraeg in the local dialect, and since the lingua franca of the modern world is majorly English, the country, region and languages are known to the world as Wales and Welsh. 

Below is a recreated map of Wales dating 1690, created initially by John Overton. The shires of the then Wales are as follows:

1. Penbrokshire
2. Carmarthenshire
3. Glamorganshire
4. Brecnokshire
5. Monmouthshire
6. Cardiganshire
7. Radnorshire
8. Montgomeryshire
9. Merionithshire
10. Carnarvanshire
11. Anglesey
12. Flintshire