The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #132420   Message #2996632
Posted By: Dave MacKenzie
30-Sep-10 - 04:57 AM
Thread Name: BS: Great Britain or United Kingdom - which?
Subject: RE: BS: Great Britain or United Kingdom - which?
Hibernia Seu Britannia minor. While Hibernia was the more common term, Britannia minor was also used.

Hibernia Seu Britannia minor

As for the origin of "Britannia", I believe it comes from Pretani, "probably a soldier's nickname for the inhabitants of the island. It means 'the people of the designs'" and refers to the widespread habit of either tattooing or skin painting (cf Picti).