Editing Nechtan (mythology) (section)

==Legacy==
''Nechtan'' or ''Nectan'' became a common [[Celt]]ic name and a number of historical or legendary figures bear it. Nechtan was a frequent name for [[Pictish kings]].<ref>Koch, entry on "Aedán mac Gabráin," in ''Celtic Culture'', p. 16.</ref> [[Nectan of Hartland]], said to have lived in the 5th century AD, is the patron saint of [[Hartland, Devon]]. Some however argue that St. Nectan never existed as a historical person, but was instead a Christianized form of the god Nechtan.<ref>Gary R. Varner, ''Sacred Wells: A Study in the History, Meaning, and Mythology of Holy Wells'' (Algora Publishing, 2009), p. 26.</ref>

[[St Nectan's Kieve]] in [[St Nectan's Glen]] near [[Tintagel]], [[Cornwall]] is said to be named for St. Nectan - though this is a Victorian invention. The place was called Nathan's Cave in 1799.<ref>Gray, Thomas. The Traveller's Companion, in a Tour through England and Wales; Containing a catalogue of the antiquities, houses, parks, plantations, scenes, and situations, in England and Wales, arranged according to the alphabetical order of the several counties. London: G. Kearsley, 1799.</ref> and was named after a local landowner.<ref>Ceri Houlbrook (2016) Saints, Poets, and Rubber Ducks: Crafting the Sacred
at St Nectan's Glen, Folklore, 127:3, 344-361, DOI: 10.1080/0015587X.2016.1197593</ref>

The name [[Clan Macnaghten|MacNaughton]] derives from "MacNeachdainn", meaning "Son of Nechtan."{{Citation needed|date=June 2014}}