Elbląg (river)


The Elbląg is a river in northwest Poland connecting Lake Drużno with the Vistula Lagoon. The city of Elbląg is situated on the river.
Tributaries include:
The oldest known mention of the river in the form Ilfing comes from the report of sailor Wulfstan from the end of the 9th century. The report was included in which was written in Anglo-Saxon in King Alfred's reign.

Etymology

Latest research suggest Scandinavian origin of the name. According to Elbląg museum the elusive Truso settlement was founded and inhabited mostly by Scandinavians. The recent research shows that the name Ilfing was Anglo-Saxon form of a Scandinavian name, which could be reconstructed as Old-Nordic Elfeng, Elfangr or Elfing from Old-Nordic elf-r - meaning "river", and Old-Nordic eng, enge, engi meaning "meadow". The 16th century German pastor, historian and cartographer :pl:Caspar Henneberger|Caspar Henneberger, wrote in his book Erklärung der preußischen größeren Landtafeln oder Mappen :
The theory of the Old Germanic origin of the name Elbing river has been also strongly supported by prominent Polish linguist :pl:Jan Michał Rozwadowski|Jan Michał Rozwadowski.
Thus the meaning of the river's name would be "River flowing through boggy meadows".