Ninianus

The origin of this name is still quite uncertain today. The theories include: 1) From the Ancient Celtic name “Nynniaw,” meaning unknown. Nynniaw, According to the 12th-century chronicler Geoffrey of Monmouth, was the name of a Welsh prince who fought against the invading forces of Julius Caesar. Saint Ninian (traditionally 4th and 5th-century) is a Christian saint first mentioned in the 8th century as an early missionary among the Pictish peoples of Scotland. For this reason, he is known as the Apostle to the Southern Picts. There are numerous dedications to him in those parts of Scotland with a Pictish heritage, throughout the Scottish Lowlands, and in parts of Northern England with a Northumbrian heritage. The feast day is traditionally celebrated on September 16 in memory of St. Ninian, bishop, called “Apostle of Scotland.”