Standard reference works for English place-names (such as Eilert Ekwall's Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names) state the name Tanet is known to be Brythonic in origin. Commonly the original meaning of Thanet is thought to be "fire" or "bright island" (tân in Modern Welsh and tan in Breton means fire), and this has led to speculation the island was home to an ancient beacon or lighthouse.
Standard reference works for English place-names (such as Eilert Ekwall's Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names) state the name Tanet is known to be Brythonic in origin. Commonly the original meaning of Thanet is thought to be "fire" or "bright island" (tân in Modern Welsh and tan in Breton means fire), and this has led to speculation the island was home to an ancient beacon or lighthouse.