Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in Manage Membership
Become a Member - no ads
Menu
  • News
    • Senedd
    • Business
    • Newport
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Obituaries
  • About
    • Advertise
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

Graig-y-rhacca

Alternative Name: Graig-y-rhaca
Morphology: craig+y+rhaca
Phonetic: grah-eeg-uh-rha-ka

On maps dating back to 1885, the village was Craig-y-Rhaca, the "C" mutating to "G" over time until it has become the commonly used version. Though "rhaca" is the Welsh word for a rake, as in a garden tool, the usage here is possible from a term used for a long, narrow area between cultivated land and a hill pasture or common. The word "racca" was common in Shropshire for such a piece of land. This strip of land was where livestock were be herded and sorted and comes from an Old English word "hracca" meaning "a rough path". Earlier spellings also show a variation of "rhacan" as opposed to "rhaca". Also Creyge Rackawn in 1570, Craig y raccha 1630 and Craigracka 1813.

Latest News

  • Damage to the pavement on Duffryn Road following the spill
    Spilling debris from lorry causes ‘traffic chaos’ as road closesFriday, June 5, 2026
  • Gwent Police officer
    Man taken to hospital with several broken bones after underpass attackFriday, June 5, 2026
  • Northern communities’ £20m fund moves step closer with chairman namedFriday, June 5, 2026
  • A stand at Newbridge RFC has been named after club legend Derek Morgan
    Newbridge RFC renames stand in honour of club legendFriday, June 5, 2026
  • The former St John Ambulance hall, Pandy Road, Bedwas, pictured in May 2023
    Plans resubmitted for ambulance hall flats after felled tree damaged first bidFriday, June 5, 2026
  • The home in Troedrhiwfuwch is up for auction
    Last remaining house in lost mining village goes up for auctionFriday, June 5, 2026

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly

Legal & Public Notices

  • Notice of application for a premises licence: Cefn Fforest Miners Welfare HallFriday, June 5, 2026
  • Notice of application for a premises licence: Cross Oak Inn, OakdaleFriday, June 5, 2026
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, May 28, 2026
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, May 14, 2026
© 2009-2026 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community Watford Road Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.