Origin of the Name Ceres Gleann

Submitted by homeowner Norm Silvey

Why is our Dallas community named Ceres Gleann? Residents since 2006, Barbara and Norm Silvey were curious about the name, but unable to locate an explanation in the sales packet or even on the developer’s website. The dictionary defines “gleann" as a Scottish word for a small secluded valley but indicates that the American spelling is “glen”.

Now for the word “Ceres”. The dictionary refers to a Roman goddess of agriculture with the name Ceres. Since we live in a small valley with an agricultural base, I assumed the mystery of the meaning of our name was solved. I was, however, still curious over the spelling of “Gleann”. Why not Glen?

During discussion with several neighbors, I was told that Mr. Jim Fowler, the developer of Ceres Gleann, had family with connections to Scotland.  Now I was motivated to re-visit the name “Ceres Gleann.”  During a phone conversion with Mrs. Fowler, I learned that Mr. Fowler’s grandparents were born and raised in County Fife, Scotland before coming to the United States.

The district of Fife is not only home to the city of St. Andrews, but also to the rural village of Ceres. It was in the village of Ceres that Jim Fowler’s grandparents were married.

Mystery solved!  The Fowler family of Oregon has drawn upon their Scottish heritage.  “Ceres Gleann,” as a name for our community, was inspired by a village in the rural, agricultural region west of St. Andrews, Scotland.  The village of Ceres was located in the glean or valley of the River Eden.  Thus our name Ceres Gleann.