Allalee. O.E. alor, alder; leah, a forest clearing.
The Place-Names of Dumfriesshire
By Col. Sir EDWARD JOHNSON-FERGUSON
[v.]
[ix.]
x.
[xi.]
INTRODUCTION
IN compiling this list of names, the plan adopted was to go through the 6 in. map of the county and make a list of all names, excluding such as were modern or of no particular interest. In searching through reference books other names were found which have since disappeared, but which can be roughly placed by the context. No attempt has been made to deal with names in the towns, as these deserve special treatment by someone with local knowledge; further, names in the neighbourhood of towns have been treated with suspicion owing to the habit of giving an old name fancy name to a modern house.
Owing to its geographical position, the Place Names of Dumfriesshire offer a very interesting ground for study, as we find specimens of nearly every early language, but in considering them it must be remembered that it is often impossible to sav whether a name is really Old English or not, as old Broad Scots embodied many words that are identical, or nearly so, with Old English. I have classified them as Old English because that is the source from which the name is ultimately derived, even though its application to the individual place may be comparatively modern.
Omitting for the moment River names, the older languages, British and Welsh, occur mostly, as might be expected, in the wilder and more hilly parts of the county, where the later settlers did not at first penetrate, and, when they did so, adopted the names they found in use.
The names of the rivers are the oldest of all, and in most cases defy interpretation.
The great bulk of the names are either Norse or Gaelic, vi.can be divided as follows—Norse parishes, i.e., where the majority of the names are of Norse origin, are, Annan, Applegarth, Canonbie, Cummertrees, Dalton, Dornock, Dryfesdale, Gretna, Half-Morton, Hoddam, Kirkpatrick-Fleming, Langholm, Lochmaben, Middlebie, Mouswald, Ruthwell, St. Mungo, Tundergarth. The rest of the county, and especially Nithsdale, are Gaelic. The following figures give the proportion of each language (obviously modern names are not included).
For the whole County—
| Gaelic | 45.08 | per cent. | |
| Norse | 17.12 | ” | |
| Old English | 29.88 | ” | |
| British Welsh Irish |
7.9 | ” |
For the Norse Parishes—
| Norse | 39 | per. cent | |
| Gaelic | 19 | ” |
For the Gaelic Parishes—
| Norse | 13 | per cent. | |
| Gaelic | 51 | ” |
For Nithsdale Alone—
| Norse | 4 | per cent. | |
| Gaelic | 60 | ” |
A study of the map shows that the Norse element is confined entirely to the area along the shore and part way up Annandale and Eskdale. Further, it is clear that the northern and western boundaries of this area correspond with the boggy ground reaching from the shore along the Lochar Moss and the low-lying ground north of Lochmaben, where the Ae and Kinnel join the Annan, and then north along the Annan itself. It then turns East, avoiding the most wild and hilly parts of the county.
It is a well known fact that Cumberland and Westmorvii.land were the centre of a large Norse colony whose place names are very common everywhere. Looking at the distribution in Dumfriesshire, the inference seems to be that the Norse population at first came from the South and advanced till it reached the boggy area. Even now this belt of land is a formidable obstacle, and if we picture its condition 1200 years ago, before the days of any drainage, it will be seen that it formed a very strong natural defence against probable attacks from the hills, where the natives, the natural enemies of the Norsemen, would be living.
The nature of the names gives a fairly clear impression of what the country looked like in old days. The rivers were probably bordered by wide marches, and their actual banks would be difficult of access except in a few places, hence we find places which have been known as fords from time immemorial. The hills were covered with scrub, mostly alder, birch, and oak, and, where they now appear soft, they would be more or less impassable bogs. The scrubby growth on the hills is confirmed by the layers of birch roots in the peat, and occasionally a larger tree or tree-root comes to light. The skeleton of an ox was found some 25 years ago in a Flow in Half-Morton at a depth of 8 feet. The commonest trees mentioned are alder, ash, birch, holly, and oak; crops were mostly barley and rye; the only animals now extinct were wolves.
Some names show the nationality of the owners or occupants—Dumbretton, The Briton’s ridge (Annan); Frenchland (Moffat); Archbank, the Irishman’s bank (Moffat); Glensaxon (Westerkirk).
There are a certain number of names, obviously of fairly modern origin, which show the manners of the times, such as “ Murder ” and “ Blood.” It is impossible to try and solve the origin of these names, as, so often, a legend has been built round them which may have no connection with the origin though, no doubt, in some cases there is a foundation of fact.
viii.A curious feature is the way in which certain names always have “the” prefixed to them. Though in some cases it is clearly connected with the meaning of the old name, it would be dangerous to generalise from a limited number. A complete list of such places might give a clue to the reason.
About 1800 there appears to have been a tendency to modernise some of the old names. Presumably people were becoming more educated and thought the old names were dialect. An instance is High Stenries, Half-Morton, which was so called (or rather Stenries) back in 1600, but was modernised to High Stone Ridge. There is a map of the county, dated 1828, which shows several instances of this custom. The same changes may be seen now between the Ordnance Map and the Valuation Roll. In other cases the name has been slightly corrupted and then a legend built round the new name, for instance, Alfornought, Middlebie, represents (G) all fornocht, naked rock, and dates back to 1600 at least, but the local legend is that the land was put into cultivation about 1800, but went back to hillground, so that the trouble was “all for nought”; it is even sometimes spoken of as “All for nothing.”
My thanks are due to Professor W. J. Watson, LL.D., for much valuable help in interpreting some of the Gaelic names, and to Mr Shirley for the loan of books; there are also many others who have given me help in various ways to whom I wish to express my gratitude.
Springkell, 1935.
ABBREVIATIONS
The names and spellings are taken from the i in. and 6 in. Ordnance Survey maps; the spellings in these and the Valuation Roll sometimes differ.
| A. | Historical MSS.; Annandale Papers. |
| Arms. | Armstrong’s History of Eskdale, etc. |
| Bl. | Blaeu’s maps published about 1660. |
| B.M. | Bannatyne Miscellanies. |
| Br. | British. |
| C.B.P. | Bain’s Calendar of Border Papers. |
| C.P.N. | “The Celtic Place Names of Scotland,” by Professor W. J. Watson, LL.D. |
| D. & G. | “Dumfries and Galloway,” by Sir Herbert Maxwell, Bt. |
| E.D.D. | English Dialect Dictionary. |
| E.H.D. | Edgar’s History of Dumfries, edited by Mr R. C. Reid. |
| E.P.N. | Publications of the English Place Name Society. |
| E.R.N. | “English River Names,” by Professor Ekwall. |
| G. | Gaelic. |
| H.M. | “Scottish Land Names” and “Topography of Galloway,” by Sir Herbert Maxwell, Bt. |
| I. | Irish. |
| J. | “Place Names of Scotland,” by J. B. Johnston. |
| Ja. | “Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language,” by John Jamieson, D.D. (abridged edition). |
| K. Ch. | Kelso Charters. |
| M.E. | Middle English, 1150-1300. |
| Mel. Ch. | Melrose Charters. |
| N. | Norse. |
| O.E. | Old English. |
| Q. | Historical MSS. ; Queensberry Papers. |
| R.E.G. | Registrum Episcopatus Glasguensis. |
| R.E.T. | Retours. |
| R.G.S. | Register of the Great Seal of Scotland. |
| R.M. | Registrum de Morton. |
| R.R. | Ragman Roll. |
| R.S.S. | Register of the Secret Seal of Scotland. |
| S. | “Place Names of Cumberland and Westmorland,” by W. J. Sedgefield, Litt.D. |
| S.D.D. | Chambers’s Scots Dialect Dictionary. |
| Sh. Bk. | Extracts from the Dumfries Sheriff Court Book, published in the Transactions of the Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society. |
| Stat. Act. | The Old Statistical Account of Scotland. |
| T. | “Words and Places,” by the Rev. I. Taylor. |
| Trans. | Transactions of the Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, with date of publication following. |
| V.B. | County Valuation Roll. |
| V.B. 1807 | Old Valuation of that date. |
| W. | Welsh. |
| Watson | Derivations suggested by Professor Watson, LL.D. |
| 1828 | Refers to an old map of the county published that year. |
The following words, which recur constantly, are not usually given:—
Cleuch (O.E.), cloh, a glen.
Gill (N.), gil, a glen.
Holm (N.), holmr, low lying land by a river.
Burn (O.E.), burna, a stream.
Hall, a house, cottage (S.D.D.).
Knowe (O.E.), cnoll, used in earlier times of the rounded top of a larger hill.
Mains, the farm attached to a mansion house (Ja.).
Sike (O.E.), sic, a small stream in marshy ground.
INDEX
Coming soon.
The Place-Names of Dumfriesshire
ANNAN
Annan—Annandale. Estrahanent 1124 (Q); Stratanant 1152 (Q); Auandesdale 1178 (REG); Annandesdale 1179 (REG); Valle Anand 1187 (REG); Annalerdendale 1398 (Arms); Ananderdall 1436 (Q); Anannirdaill 15 2 8 (Q); Anand 1304 (O). A very old Celtic name originally Anava (CPN). Estra is W. ystrad, Strat is G. srath, both meaning a wide valley.
Baillie-Aiker 1611 (RGS). O.E. aecer, a cultivated piece of ground.
Barnkirk. Barmkirk 1529 (RGS); Barnekyrk 1563 (Arms); Barmenkirk 1577 (RGS). G. barr, the hilltop; na circe, of the hen, i.e. grouse (used collectively; cf. Gleann na Circe, Glenkirk, in Strathdearn. Prof. Watson).
Beltedstone.
Bombay. Bondby 1500 (Q). N. bondi, a peasant proprietor ; N. by, a farm.
Bonshaw. Boneschaw 1511 (A); Bonschaw 1544 (A); Bon-schauk 1574 (RGS); Banshawe 1583. N. bondi, a peasant proprietor; O.E. sceaga, a small wood.
Breconbeds. M.E. braken, bracken; bedd, a place where plants grow.
Brydekirk. Bridechapell 1507 (RGS); Bridkyrk 1517; Bryidkirk 1660 (Bl). St. Bridgit’s Church. She was born about 452.
Bulsuncrike. 1536 (RGS). -crike, Br. krakio, which becomes W. craig, a rock.
Clint Pool. N. klint, the brow of a hill, a promontory.
Crazy Hill.
Creca. Cragkow 1469 (RGS). The name is of Celtic origin from Br. krakio, which became W. craig, a rock (EPN).
Dalebank. Dalbank 1357 (Q); Dailbank i486 (Q); Delbanck 1660 (Bl). O.E. dael, a deep natural hollow; M.E. banke, a word of Norse origin meaning a shelf of ground or the slope of a hill (EPN).
Dumbretton. Dumbretan 1296 (RR); Dumbertann 1544 (Arms); Drumbritane 1611 (RGS); Druym Brettan 1660 (Bl.). G. druim Breattain, the Briton’s ridge, or Breatan, Britons’.
Gallaberry. O.E. gealga, a gallows; beorg, a hill, either natural or artificial. Galgi is also a Norse nickname, so it is impossible to say whether the place is called after a man or a gallows (S).
Gala Burn. See above.
Garthheid. 1611 (RGS). N. garthr, an enclosure.
Gowkesk Rig.
Gullielands. Guldlandis 1574 (RGS); Guildelandis 1582 (RGS); Gellielandis 1589 (RGS). O.E. gylden, golden, perhaps referring to the colour of the trees.
Hawmedo. 1541 (RGS). O.E. haga, a hedge, then an enclosure, and then an enclosure with a dwelling-house attached.
Hecklegirth. W. eglwys or G. eaglais, a church; girth, a sanctuary.
Hingande Hill. 1563 (Arms). M.E. hengen, hanging, in the sense of sloping.
Hoill-Clois De Annand. 1589 (RGS).) O.E. hoi, a hollow.
Hollandbog Well. “Holinbog between Dunbertane and Wrmanbe.” 1464. Holingbog 1538 (RGS). O.E. holegn, holly.
Howes—Howis 1517 (RGS); Hawys 1544 (Arms); Howis 1566. O.E. hoh, a projecting ridge of land.
Howgill Burn. O.E. hoi, a hollow.
The Howmis of Ann and called Blewberry Lands. 1544 (Q)
Kenziels. Perhaps G. [aig a’] cheann gheal, [at] white head.
The Merse. O.E. mersc, a marsh.
Milnby Burn. Millebie 1194 (Q). Howes-Mylnbe 1541 (RGS). O.E. mylne, a mill; N. by, a farm.
Newby. N. nyja by, the new farm.
Outerford. Ruterfoord 1660 (Bl).
Park—Parkneuk—Parcarhill 1502 (RGS). O.E. pearroc, a small enclosure. Probably connected with “The Park of Wodecokheir.”
Prestonhall. O.E. preost, a priest; tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Pricket-Aiker. 1611 (RGS). O.E. aecer, a cultivated piece of land.
Raggetshaws. Ragilschawis 1464. Possibly O.E. raege, a wild she-goat; O.E. sceaga, a small wood.
Spittalridding. Spittai, a hospital; lands formerly owned by the Knights of St. John (HM). O.E. hryding, a patch of cleared land.
Lie Stankislandis De Annand. 1625 (RGS). M.E. stank, a stagnant pool.
Sword Well. “There is a well adjoining the spot in which the Scotch soldiers washed their swords after the battle, which has ever since been designated Sword Well.” (New Stat. Act).
Turnshaw. Turnshaw 1587 (A). Personal name Thurwine. O.E. sceaga, a small wood.
Warmanbie. Wrmanbie 1464. Ormondby 1510 (RGS); Wormonbie 1511 (A); Wormonbie 1582 (RGS). “Ver-mund’s farm.” N. by, a farm.
Woodcockair. The Park of Wodecokheir 1360; Wood-cockaire 1441; Wodcokkar 1471 (RSS); Wodcokkaire 1508 (RSS); Wodcokhair 1610 (RGS). On the 1660 (Bl.) map Flair Hill is marked, and some distance below p4is marked Woodcock. The last syllable is N. erg, similar to (G) airigh, from which the Norse borrowed the word, meaning a hill-pasture (EPN). The first part may refer to the bird or be a personal name, there is a family of Wodecoc in 1275 (EPN Worcs.) Cf. also Wdkoclandis 1376 (RM) in Westerkirk.
APPLEGARTH
Aikhorneholm. 1488 (RGS). O.E. ac, an oak.
Albie. O.E. aid, old; N. by, a farm.
Applegarth. Apilgirth 1275 (REG); Apilgarth 1361 (Q); Appilgarth 1511 (O); Apylgytht 1543 (Q). N. epla, an apple-tree; garthr, an enclosure.
Auchenroddan. G. achadh, the field; an rodain, of the red scum, viz., iron water.
Balgray. Balgra 1581 (A). G. baile, the stead; graighe, of the horse herd.
Belcathill. G. baile Cathail, Cathal’s stead.
Belshand Knowe. G. baile, the stead; sean, old.
Blindhillbush. Blendallbush 1544 (Arms). Possibly N. blaeingr, dark; dalr, a valley. Bush in old Scots meant a wood consisting of oak and birch (CPN).
Breckenry. M.E. braken, bracken; N. vra, a corner, a tongue of land, good land wedged in between useless land. (S).
Burrain Skelton. Burane Skentoun 1448 (Act of Scots Pari.). O.E. burgaens, a burial place, from it is derived borran, meaning a heap of loose stones, especially Roman or pre-historic remains. (S.) The second part is probably a personal name, and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it. See note 2.
Cassey Hill. From Anglo-French causey, a beaten way, a path.
Chipknowe. G. tiobar, a well.
Claydaubing Bridge.
Cleuch Head. Clewcheidis 1634. Self explanatory.
Cocklet. let often represents G. leathad, a hill slope; cock might be G. cuach, a cup-like hollow. (Prof. Watson).
Dalmakeddar. Dalmakethar (VR and 6 in.) G. dail, the meadow; mac ... of the sons of . . . (name unknown).
Dinwoodie. Dunwithie 1194 (Q); Dunwidi 1194 (Q); Dun-wothy 1361 (O); Dunwethy 1457 (Q); Dunwede 1511 (Q). W. din, a hilh and then a hill-fort; second part uncertain.
Fourmerkland. A measurement of land. See note I.
Gayfield Type. Type, hard labour accompanied by much walking (SDD).
Gillenbie. Gillonby 1296 (RR); Gillenbye 1458. Gaelic personal name with N. by, a farm, added.
Gowka Burrain. Goukabarren 1648. For Burrain see Burrain Skelton, ante. Gowka might be connected with Gouk, a fool.
Hangingshaw. M.E. hengen, hanging, in the sense of sloping. O.E. sceaga, a small wood.
Hen Moss.
Hewke. Hewk 1625 (RGS). O.E. hoc, a hook.
Hibble Haggs.
How Law. N. haugr, a hill. O.E. hlaw, a hill.
Howthat. N. hoi, a hollow, or, haugr, a hill; thveit, a forest clearing.
Inch Ford. G. innis, an island, a meadow.
Kirkstile. O.E. steall, a site, place, cattle-stall.
Lamonbie. Lammynby 1488 (RGS); Lamynby 1535 (RGS). Personal name Lambin, and N. by, a farm. “These names arose as a consequence of the Flemish settlements in the time of William Rufus. The names were not given by the Flemish or Norman settlers, but by the earlier inhabitants of the district. They show that . . . Norse was still spoken round Carlisle about 1100.” (EPN).
Leakaims. O.E. leah, a forest clearing; O.E. camb, a crest, a ridge of land.
Perchhall.
Pykitthorn. Pykit, meagre looking, shrunken (SDD).
Ravenscleuch. Probably self explanatory, but might be personal name Hrafn.
Renwick’s Well.
Rockhillflat. M.E. flat, a level piece of ground, one of the larger pieces into which the common ground was divided.
Roseburrain. (An old fort.) N. hreysi, a cairn, a heap of stones; for Burrain see Burrain Skelton, ante.
Ryecastle. Either O.E. ryge, rye, or N. rjothr, a glen in the forest.
Shielstead. M.E. schele, a shepherd’s summer hut, a small house; O.E. stede, a place, now used of a farm.
Sibbaldbie. Sybaldeby 1193 (REG); Sibbulbie 1220 (Arms); Sillebie 1602 (A). Personal name Sibbald; N. by, a farm.
Templand. Land belonging to the Knights Templars.
CAERLAVEROCK
Baille Knowe. Bale, a bonfire. O.E. bael, a blazing pile. Boreland. Bourland 1325; Burland 1342. Land held on the rental of a food supply, a home farm (HM).
Bowhouse. Bowes 1660 (Bl). N. buth, a temporary shelter, a cowhouse.
Butter Knowe. O.E. butere, used of a settlement with good pasture.
Byres. O.E. byre, a byre.
Caerlaverock. Carlauerok 1275 (REG). W. caer, an entrenched or stone girt fort; the second part is probably the Welsh personal name Llywarch (CPN).
Conheath. Colnhathrig 1115 (REG); Collynhathrig 1115 (REG); Kulenhath 1220 (EHD); Culnehath 1323 (EHD); Culnehacht 1332 (EHD); Golnhaih 1335 (EHD); Culynhath 1343 (EHD); Culnehathe 1375 (EHD); Collinhathrig 1442 (RGS); Colihachrig 1453 (EHD); Conhaith 1542 (RGS); Conhett 1660 (Bl). Possibly W. collen, hazel; O.E. haeth, heath, used of wild uncultivated land; hrycg, a ridge.
Glencaple. G. gleann capuill, the mare’s glen.
Glenhowan. G. gleann cobhain, glen of the hollow. Highlandman’s Pool.
Hollins. Hollands (6 in. map). O.E. holegn, holly.
Isle Tower. (Remains.) The Yle 1660 (Bl). G. iosal, meadow land beside a stream.
Kelton. Kelton 1433 (EHD). N. kelda, a spring. O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Kirkblain—Kilblain. G. cill, a chapel. “It commemorates the saint who is styled triumphant Blaan of the Britons; he was Bishop of Kingarth in Bute.” He flourished about the end of the 6th cent. (CPN).
Ladylandis. 1625 (RGS).
Lands. Launes 1660 (Bl). \V. Ilan, a clear place, a small enclosure.
Lanarkland. W. llanarch, a clearing in the forest (CPN). Lantonside.
Mote. O.E. mot, originally a meeting place. As meetings were usually held on mounds the name came to be used of any mound of earth.
Saltcot Hills. Saltcottis 1529 (RGS); Lady-Saltcoitis 1625 (RGS). “In the summer season the people upon the coast employ themselves in making a kind of coarse salt, which answers the common uses tolerably well.” It was made by evaporation. “A measure of it weighing about 25 lbs. sold for a shilling, no duty is paid upon it, notwithstanding which the tenants on the shore who practice this manufacture are supposed to be no considerable gainers.” (Stat. Act).
Shearington. Schryngtoun, Shirringtoun 1660 (Bl). O.E. personal name Scira; O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Sheartreeburn. This name may have some connection with Shearington.
Lie Spittalfield. 1550 (RGS). Spittai, hospital, land formerly owned by the Knights of St. John (H.M.).
CANONBIE
Aiktree Well. O.E. ac, an oak.
Airnlee. This may be either O.E. aern, a house, or modern aim, for iron; O.E. leah, a forest clearing.
Albie Rig. O.E. aid, old; N. by, a farm; O.E. hrycg, a ridge.
Almondside. Br. aman, a river. (CPN). O.E. side, a slope of a hill.
Archerbeck. O.E. archet, an orchard, but of wider application not being restricted to an enclosure where fruit is grown (EPN). See note at end of parish.
Auchenrivock. Auchinriffok 1631 (RGS). G. achaidhean, fields; riabhach, brindled.
Auchenrivock Castle. Formerly Stakeheugh, Stakehaghe ^HJ Starkheuch 15 98 (A); Staykhue 1605; -heuch O.E. healh, a corner, recess, secret place. In 1513 Sir Christopher Dacre burnt “The Stakehugh, the manor place of Irewyn” (CBP).
Barngleish. Barnegles, Barnegleis 1578 (A); Birnegleis 1588 (RGS). G. barr, the hill top; na h-eaglaise, of the church.
Barrascrofts. Barrasknowis 1631 (RGS). Barras, tilt yard for tournaments; O.E. croft, a small enclosed field, in the north it usually implies adjacency to a house (EPN).
Blethering Sike. Blethering, loud foolish talk (SDD).
Boglehill. Bogle, an apparition (SDD).
Bogrie. G. bograigh, a boggy place.
Boughlin. G. linne, a pool.
Broad Clint. N. klint, the brow of a hill, a promontory.
Brockwoodlees. Broketleyis 1610 (Arms). O.E. brocc, a badger; wudu, a wood; leah, a forest clearing.
Bruntshiel. Bruntscheillhill 1631 (RGS). Might be either a personal name or “Burnt.” M.E. schele, a shepherd’s summer hut, a small house.
Bulman’s Knowe. Bilmanesknow 1610 (Arms); Balmannas-p9know 1624 (Arms); Bilmannisknow 1631 (RGS). Perhaps “Billman’s” from bill, a halbert.
Burrowstone Moss. O.E. beorg, a hill; stone may be a corruption of O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Byre Burn. O.E. byre, a byre.
Cairn Standing Stones. Mentioned as one of the boundaries of the Debatable Land (CBP 1597).
Canonbie. Cannaby 1275 (REG). “The Canon’s Farm.” An Austin Priory was founded here by 1 urgot de Rossedal in 1175. “The church and convent are said to have been demolished by the English after the battle of Solway Moss in 1543.” (Stat. Act).
Carsaddle Peak. The first part would seem to be G. cathair, or W. caer, a fort.
Cat Linns—Cat Cleuch—Cat Clint. Probably all called after wild cats. N. klint, the brow of a hill, a promontory.
Catsbit. Probably as above, but W. cat, means a bit, piece, so this may be a duplication of the name.
Closses Burn. G. closs, dais, a trench. Comes to mean a place fenced off, an enclosure.
Cowugley Pool.
Cronksbankhead. O.E. cranoc or cOrnoc, a crane, but the name crane was often used of a heron.
Crookholm. N. krokr, a bend in a river.
Dunk Pool. Dunk, mouldy dampness (SDD).
Elf Knowe. Elf, a fairy.
Enthorn. Kuthorne 1610 (Arms); Ruthorne 1610 (Arms); Enthorn 1631 (RGS). N. einn thorn, one thorn.
Gilnockie Tower. G. geal chnocan, small white hill.
Glencartholm. Cart, connected with I. cartain, I cleanse, appears to be used in the sense of “the strongly flowing one” (CPN).
Glenzier. Glen gayre, Glunzaird 1621 (RGS). This must have been in the dative with article as (anns a’) ghleann ghearr (in the) short glen. (Prof. Watson.)
Grayscrogg Sike.—Scrog, a stunted bush, a thorn bush, rough land covered with stunted bushes (SDD).
Greena Tower. (Site of.) G. grianan, a sunny knoll.
Haghill. Hag, “a dialect word found in Scotland and the north of England meaning a clearing or cutting of timber; a certain portion of a wood marked out to be cut down” (S). It also means wild moorish broken ground (SDD).
Hallgreen. O.E. healh, a corner, recess, secret place.
Hardenside. O.E. heord, a flock; side the slope of a hill.
Hare Law. O.E. har, old, grey, or hara, a hare; the word har is also descriptive of a boundary (EPN). O.E. hlaw, a hill.
Holehouse. Hollhous 1582, Houlhous 1610 (Arms); Hoil-hous 1625 (RGS). O.E. hoi, a hollow.
Hollinhirst. O.E. holegn, holly; hyrst, a wood.
Kerr Bush. Personal name or N. kjarr, copsewood. Bush in old Scots meant a wood consisting of oak and birch (CPN).
Kinmount Tower. (Site of.) G. ceann-mhonadh, head-hill. (CPN).
Knottyholm. Knottisholme 1629 (Arms). Knotty, a game like shinty (SDD).
Liddel Water. Lidelesdale 1179 (REG); Lidesdedale 1179 (Arms); Lythe 1200 (RR); Vai de Lydel 1280 (Arms); Lydale 1329 (RM); Ledesdale 1329 (RM); Laydalysdal T33O (Arms); Vallis de Lyddall 1384 (Q). “It seems probable that the name is simply a compound of an original name Hlyde and O.E. dael, a valley, so that Liddisdale is tautological. Hlyde is a native English name. We have to assume . . . the meaning torrent, swift stream” (ERN).
Lochbirkishill. 1631 (RGS).
Lymiecleuch. Lamecleuch 1610 (Arms); Lamets-Cleuch, Lamiecleuch 1624 (Arms), Lamercleuch 1631 (RGS). O.E. lam, loam.
Machrieholm. G. machaire, a plain.
Maurins Mire. Maukin, a hare; N. myrr, a bog.
Mepsy’s Crook.
Mirk Bush. N. myrkr, dark; for Bush, see Kerr Bush, ante.
Morton. Mortoun 1550 (RGS). O.E. mor, waste land, but used more of swampy land than the modern word moor.
Mouldyhills. Mole-hills. O.E. mold, earth.
Mumbiehirst. Monckbehirst 1585 (CBP); Munkhirst 1596 (CBP); Munkbehirst 1625 (RGS). Monk, probably from some connection with the Priory. N. by, a farm. O.E. hyrst, a thick wood.
Nittyholm. Nittieholm 1610 (Arms). Nitty, small, neat (SDD).
Orchard. Acherly 1610 (Arms); Orchardlie, Archerlie 1624 (Arms); Aucherley 1631 (RGS). O.E. orceard or archet, an orchard, but of wider application, not being restricted to an enclosure where fruit is grown (EPN). O.E. leah, a forest clearing.
Paddle Hush Burn. The first word may represent O.E. pad wielle, toad well or spring; the second may be O.E. hiwisc, a house, and then a measure of land on which a household settled.
Perter Burn. Perturr Burn 1660 (Bl); Peter Burn 1828. W. perth, a bush, copse (CPN).
Pickley Hole Wood.
Prior Hill. This and the next no doubt connected with the Priory.
Priorslynn. O.E. hlynn, a torrent, waterfall, pool.
Raegill. Reygill, Reagill 1597 (CBP); Regill 1660 (Bl). O.E. ra, a roe deer.
Ryehills. O.E. ryge, rye.
Saddler’s Sike.
Shielingmoss. “By every corn mill, a knoll top, on which the kernels were winnowed from the husks, was designated the sheeling hill” (Ja).
Slackhead. N. slakki, a slack, a shallow valley.
Tarcoon. Torquum, Torquin 1625 (RGS); Torqune 1625 (RGS). G. tor, a rounded hill; cumhang, narrow.
Tarras Water. Tarras 1625 (RGS).
Tathstead. Place where cattle were shut up at night to manure the ground. O.E. stede, a place, site.
Thorniewhats. Thorneythaite 1583 (CBP); Thorn-whattie 1584 (CBP); Thorniequhattis 1631 (RGS). N. thorn, a thorn bush; thveit, a forest clearing.
Tinnis. W. din, dinas, a fort, a camp of refuge as opposed to a permanently occupied place (CPN).
Tomshielburn. G. tom, a knoll. M.E. schele, a shepherd’s summer hut, a small house.
Torbeckhill. Norse personal name Thorir or Thora. N. brekka, a slope, hill. Cf. Torbeckhill, Moddlebie [sic].
Trummel’s Pool.
Whitelawside. O.E. whit, white, but the term is applied to open pasture as opposed to wood and heather. O.E. hlaw, a hill.
Wilbellieholm.
Woodhouselees. Wodhousleis 1573 (A). O.E. wudu, a wood; leah, a forest clearing.
Archerbeck. This was the place where Buccleuch met his friends to arrange the rescue of Kinmount Willie from Carlisle Castle 1596 (CBP).
CLOSEBURN
Auchenleck. Achinlek 1470 (RGS); Achinsleck 1660 (Bl). G. achadh, the field; nan leac, of the slab-stones; or, na lice, of the slab-stone.
Auchenrennie. Auchinracheny 1320 (RGS). G. achadh,. the field; na rainich, of the bracken.
Auldgirth. Aidgarth 1531 (RGS); Aldgart 1537 (Sh. Bk). N. aid, old; garthr, an enclosure.
Baird’s How. O.E. hoi, a hollow.
Barburgh. Birdburgh 1470 (RGS). G. barr, a hill-top. O.E. beorg, a hill. If the old form is correct it is from a personal name.
Barraby Linn. Personal name and N. by, a farm; O.E. hlynn, a pool, torrent, waterfall.
Barscary. G. barr sgeireach, rocky hill-top, or, barr sgaraidh, hill-top of the separation, i.e., cleft.
Berry Grain. N. grein, a fork, a small valley opening out of a larger.
Berscaur. N. berg, a small hill; sker, a cliff.
Berswick. Personal name and O.E. wic, a dwelling.
Bishop Holes.
Black Strand. O.E. strand, shore, bank.
Blawhare. G. blar, a plain; the second syllable represents quair, but the meaning seems doubtful.
Blawplain. G. blar, a plain.
Bluid Sike.
Bran Burn. G. bran, a raven.
Brandy Holes. G. brandubh, raven black (CPN).
Branrig. O.E. brant, steep; hrycg, a ridge.
Brattles Burn. To flow noisily, used of a stream (SDD).
Bruce’s Well.
Buchanhall.
Burley’s Leap.
Burleywhag.
Buttaview. O.E. butere, used of rich pasture.
Cample Burn. Campell 1660 (Bl). G. cam, crooked; poll, a sluggish stream.
Campleslacks. See above. N. slakki, a boggy hollow.
Capel Burn and Moss. G. capul, a mare.
Chaise Craig.
Clachope Water. Clauchope 1376 (RM). G. clach, a stone; O.E. hop, a small valley among the hills.
Clauchrie. Clachre 1498 (RSS); Clauchry 1568 (RGS). I. cloichreach or clochrach, a stoney place.
Clog Knowe. W. clog, a rock.
Closeburn. Kyllosbern 1200 (K.Ch.); Killosbern 1278 p14(K.Ch); Kylosbern 1355 (O); Kyllysbern 1432 (O); Killosberne 1456 (Q); Cloisborne 1566. G. cill Osbern, the chapel of St. Osbern. “It is supposed to celebrate Osbern, an English saint; there was, however, Osbran, anchorite and bishop of Cluain Creamha in Roscommon, who died in 752” (CPN).
Cowfaddock. G. cobhan, a hollow; possibly fadach, turfy. Craih Hill. G. craobh, a tree.
Crichope Linn. O.E. cryc, “this is the old British cruc.” [W. cruc, now crug, G. cruach, a rounded hill,] “and denotes a hill or barrow” (EPN Yorks. N.R. p. 108). O.E. hop, a small hollow among the hills; O.E. hlynn, a waterfall, torrent or pool. “At the entrance to it (the linn) there was a curious cell or cave called the Elf’s Kirk, where, according to the superstition of the times, the imaginary inhabitants of the Linn were supposed to hold their meetings. This cave . . . has recentlv been demolished” (Stat. Act). There was a magic cave at Cruachan in Connacht, Co. Roscommon. (Prof. Watson.)
Croalchapel.
Cunningholm. Coningholm or Dalgarnock Holmis alias Holmis of Nith 1593 (EHD). O.E. cyning, a king.
Curlie’s Knowe.
Dalgarnock. Dalgernok 1200 (K.Ch.); Dalgarnach 1371 (RM); Dalgarnok 1374 (O); Dalgarno 1499 (O); Dalgernok 1499 (Q); Dalcairnock 1660 (Bl). G. dal gair-neig, the field of the little crier, a stream name (CPN). The parish was joined to Closeburn in 1606 (Fasti Ecclesiae).
Deil’s Elbuck. Elbuck, the elbow (SDD).
Dins Rig. W. din, a fort.
Dinning. G. dunan, a fort.
Dolard. Dollard (6 in. map). G. dol, later dal, a meadow, field; ard, high, or an upland.
Dow Linn. G. dubh linne, black pool.
Dressertland. Dressetland 1596 (A). Manured land (SDD).
Drumbreck. G. druim breac, speckled ridge.
Drumfadkins. Drumfadzeane 1559 (Q); Drumfailzeane I574 (Q)’ G. druim, the ridge; either Fadain, Fadan’s, or the long man’s; or Phaidin, Paidin or the little Patrick (HM).
Earn Craig. O.E. earn, an eagle.
Fellard.
Fyrach. 1531 (RGS); Fyeracht 1536 (RGS); Feyeracht 1563 (RGS). G. foithreach, a woody place.
Gana Hill. G. gaineach, sandy, or perhaps a part translation of cnoc gainmhe, hill of sand.
Garroch. Garrokis 1591 (RGS). G. gairbheach, place of roughness (CPN).
Gawin Moor. G. gamhain, a stirk.
Gilchristland. Gilkreisland 1577 (Sh. Bk). Personal name Gilchrist, which represents G. gille Criosd, servant of Christ.
Glass Rig. G. glais, a stream. O.E. hrycg, a ridge.
Gled’s Nest. Gled, a kite or buzzard.
Glenbeath. G. gleann beithe, birch glen.
Glencross. Glencors 15n (RGS); Glencorce 1559 (Q); Glencroce 1574 (Q). G. gleann croisg, glen of the crossing, as over a ridge (CPN).
Glengowan Hill. G. gleann gobhainn, the blacksmith’s glen.
Glenloy. G. gleann laoigh, glen of the calf.
Gub Hill. Perhaps G. gob, a beak.
Gullet Spout. Gullet, a water channel.
Gutterslack Knowe. Gutter, mud, puddles; N. slakki, a shallow, boggy valley.
Hell’s Cauldron.
Hollandbush. O.E. holegn, holly; Bush in old Scots meant a wood consisting of oak and birch (CPN).
Kenriva Burn. G. ceann riabhach, brown head.
King’s Well and Chair.
Knockbrack. G. cnoc breac, speckled hill.
Knockenshang. Knokynchangill 1376 (RM). G. cnocan, a small hill; seang, slander; or cnoc na seangan, hill of the ants.
Knocknutshell.
Knocktimpen. G. cnoc tiompain, hill of the rounded hump. Liftingstane.
Locherben. Louchirbane 1376 (RM); Lokerben 154° (RGS); Locharben 1573 (Q); Lochirben 1591 (RGS). G. luachair, rushes; ban, white.
Loch Ettrick. I. etrice, a small stream.
M ‘Mount.
Mitchellslacks. Michelslakkis 1580 (Sh. Bk.); Nycen-slacks 1583 (Sh. Bk.). O.E. micel, great; N. slakki, a shallow, boggy valley.
Moch-hill Moss. W. moch, swine.
Morins Hill.
Mount Hope.
Mount Misery.
Muirstraploch.
Niggie Knowes. Might be G. (cnoc) na h-eaga, hill of the notch, but doubtful. (Prof. Watson.)
Oldshiel Knowe. M.E. schele, a shepherd’s summer hut.
Penbreck. W. pen, a head; brych, spotted.
Poldivan Lake. W. pwll ddwfn, deep pool; unless there is evidence of a lake having been there “Lake” is probably a corruption of O.E. lacu, a stream.
Queensberry Hill. Ouenysbeyrie 1483 (A). O.E. cwenₜ a woman; beorg, a hill.
Royach Cairn. G. ruadhach, a red place.
Sandrum. Sundrum 1470 (RGS). G. sean druim, old ridge.
Shield Knowe. M.E. schele, a shepherd’s summer hut.
Shotts. O.E. sceat, a nook, corner, point.
Snappers Slack.
Souter’s Seat. Souter, a shoemaker (SDD). So called p17from having been the retreat of a Souter in Covenanting times.
Sowens Knowe. G. samhan, a kind of juniper.
Strawsholm. Strauchholme 1582 (Sh. Bk.). Straucht, straight (SDD).
Templand. Land owned by the Knights Templars. They were a military order founded in 1118; they came to Scotland when David I. introduced the feudal system.
Threap Moor. M.E. threap, a scolding contest, dispute, whence it came to mean land which was the subject of dispute.
Trigony. The first part is probably W. tref, a farm.
Trundling Knowe. O.E. trynde, a round hump. Vochums Cleuch.
Watchman Hill. See note 2.
Whistlebare. O.E. twistla, the fork of a river; baer, pasture.
White Naze. O.E. naess, a headland.
Windyhill. Wyndehillis 1472 (O). Though I cannot find it in the dictionary there seems to be some word “wynd” meaning pasture, “Whitewynd or White Woolen, being an excellent pasturage for sheep, hence the name.” Cf, Dryfesdale, Quhytewoollen.
CUMMERTREES
Barrasgate. Barras, tilting ground for tournaments; N. gata, a road.
Birkmire. 1532 (RGS); Birkmure or Kirkmure 1542 (RGS). N. birki, a birch copse; myrr, swampy moorland; or O.E. bierce, a birch copse; mor, waste land, used more of swampy land than the modern word moor.
Blabech. 1194 (Q). N. blar, dark, or, bleikr, gleaming; bekkr, a stream.
Bogues. O.E. boga, or N. bogr, a bow, referring to the bend in the river (EPN Yorks. N.R. p 304).
Bowhill. N. buth, a temporary shelter, a cowhouse.
Brakenepheit. 1194 (Q); Brakensweit 1271 (O). M.E. braken, bracken; N. thveit, a forest clearing.
Brewing Scar. Brewin Scar 1516 (Q). N. sker, a bare place on a hillside; a cliff, a steep hillside (S).
Bruce’s Acre. Site of a battle in the 13th cent.
Cummertrees. Cumbretres 1194 (Q); Cumbetres 1223 (REG); Cummyrteis 1445 (Q); Comertrees 1544 (Arms); Kumbertrees 1660 (Bl). Either W. cymer, a confluence; W. tres, toil, trouble; or G. comar, confluence; G. treas, a combat. (Trans. 1923).
Dilholm Pool. Perhaps personal name Dili (S). Or dill, to conceal.
Earsefald. V.R. 1807.
Gillmartinbec. 1271 (Q). G. gille, a servant. Martin’s servant. N. bekkr, a stream. G. gille-martuinn is also a name for a fox.
Hidewood. 1529 (RGS). O.E. hid, a holding which supported an ordinary free household. The hide in Doomsday Book was about 120-160 acres, of which a certain amount was arable and the rest was pasture, meadow and wood necessarily appurtenant to it. (Preface to Wiltshire Doomsday.)
Hitchell. Hitchel 1660 (Bl). Probably a personal name, and N. skali or M.E. schele, a shepherd’s summer hut.
Hoddam Castle. Hodelm 1116 (REG); Hodelmo 1202 (REG); Hodholm 1255 (REG); Hodolm 1296 (RR); Hoddome, Howdoun, Hoddun 1544 (Arms); Hodholme 1544 (Arms). See under Hoddam Parish.
Howcreek. N. hoi, a hollow; N. kreik, a winding stream. Hurkledale. Hurkildale 1573 (A). Hurkle, troublesome, unmanageable (SDD). To be contracted into folds, crooked (Ja).
Justenlees. Probably the site of some tournament or fight. Kelhead. Kelheid 1516 (O); Kilheid 1546 (RGS). N. kelda, a spring. Probably the same as Mikkelkeldewelle p191271 (Q). “The big spring.” The old name gives both N. kelda and O.E. wielle, each having the same meaning.
Kinmount. Kenemunth 1296 (RR); Kynmuth 1296 (RR); Kinnemoth 1329; Kinmond 1443, Kynemounde i486, Kininmonth 1622 (RGS). G. ceann-mhonadh, headhill (CPN).
Langesweit. 1271 (Q). N. lang thveit, the long clearing in the forest.
Limekilns. The Lymekylnys 1443 (Q); Lymekills 1449 (A); Le Lymekillis 1453 (Q). O.E. cyln, a kiln.
Litelsweit. 1271 (O). N. lytel thveit, the little clearing.
Muirhouse. Morhuses 1271 (Q); Muyrhous 1516 (Q); Mwrehous 1622 (RGS); Morehous 1660 (Bl). O.E. mor, waste land, but used more of swampy land than the modern word moor.
Murraythwaite. The Morithwait 1499 (A); Morriquhat 1625 (RGS); Morequhat 1611 (RGS); Moriwhat 1660 (Bl). Personal name and N. thveit, a forest clearing.
Polraban. 1194 (0). G. poll, a bog, pool or sluggish stream; perhaps G. reubainn or robainn, rapine, robbery.
Pow Water. G. poll, a bog, pool or sluggish stream.
Priestside. Priestwodside 1578. O.E. preost, a priest; side, the slope of a hill.
Riddingdyke. O.E. hryding, a patch of cleared land; die, a ditch or bank.
Ryehill. Ryell i486, Ryall 1625 (RGS); Riall 1660 (Bl).
Stenries. Steinreisbeck 1194 (Q); Stanrase 1446 (Q); Stan-reis 15 44 (Q); Stanereis 15 44 (Q); Stanrehousehill 15 78 (A); Stonbrigs 1660 (Bl). N. steinn hreysi, stone cairn.
Trailtrow. Treuertrold 1116 (REG); Trevertrold 1124. The first part is W. tref yr, the house or farm; the last part is obscure. Trailtrow was joined as a parish to Cummertrees in 1609. (Fasti Ecclesiae.)
Walter Brig. 1194 (O).
Wildcat Burn. Wildcotray 1536 (RGS). “It is now generally accepted that Rea (Ray) represents O.E. aet thaere ea, at the river, whose r was taken to belong to p20the word ea.” (ERN v. Rea Brook.) It is not unlikely that the name represents the personal name Wild and O.E. cot, a small house.
Winterseuch. Winterbechscok 1194 (Q). Personal name Wintra and N. skogr, a wood.
Wrennehoc. 1194 (O). N. vreina, stallion’s; haugr, a small hill. Might be the same as Knokkis 1450 (RGS); Knock 1660 (Bl).
DALTON
Almagill. Almygill 1577 (Sh. Bk).
Appultrethwaite. 1411 (O). Appiltretwayt 1320 (RGS). Apiltraquhit 1615 (RGS). (N) apaldr thveit, appletree clearing.
Baillie Hill. Bailze 1448 (Act of Scots Pari). O.E. bael, a blazing fire. See note 2.
Birset. N. birki, a birch copse; saetr, a summer pasture farm.
Blackmark Hill. Mark used as a measurement of land. Note 1.
Breckerigg. N. brekka, a slope; O.E. hrycg, a ridge.
Butterwhat. Butterthuate 1507 (RGS). Buttirthuat 1507 (RGS). Butterquhat 1625 (RGS). Personal name Buther and N. thveit, a forest clearing.
Dalton. Great Dalton 1291 (RR). Daltoun 1375 (Q). Datoun 1411 (O). Dawtoun 1507 (RGS). Datoun 1660 (Bl). O.E. dael, a valley; tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Denbie. Denebie 1507 (RGS). Denvy 1542 (RGS). Danbie 1611 (RGS). Danabeis 1612 (RGS). Dienbie 1660 (Bl). N. Daenir by, the farm or village of the Danes.
Dormount. Dormont 1409 (Q). Dormunde 1496 (O). Dormone 1552 (RGS). Doubtful, but might be G. dobhar, water; mhonadh, hill; or the W. equivalent dwfr fynydd.
The Fishing of the Cowpis. 1508 (RSS).
Fowmarte Shaw. Fowmart, a pole-cat; O.E. sceaga, a small wood.
Gallows Hill. Close to Pleacairn, q.v.
Gallowstree Rock. Self explanatory.
Gillishaw. G. giolcach, rushy.
Glowr-owre Wood. Wood with a wide view.
Greenswangs. O.E. grene, a greasy spot, or, used as an adjective, green; N. svangr, slender.
Halliday Hill. Hallidayhill 1662 (EHD). Personal name. There was a “Ihone Halidai of Hoddome” in 1480 (Q).
Hardgrave. Hardgrafe 1443 (Q). Hardgray 1452 (Q). Hardgraif 149g (A). O.E. heord, a flock, or, herde, a shepherd; graef, a pit, a deep narrow glen.
Hass. N. hals, a pass.
Henshaw. O.E. sceaga, a small wood.
Hetland. Hatelandhill 1411 (Q); Hatillandhill 1452 (Q); Haithlandhill 1542 (A). O.E. haeth, heath, used of wild uncultivated land.
Hindgill. O.E. hind, a hind.
Holmains. Holymendis 1375 (Q); Holmendis 1449 (Q);
Holmends 1457 (A); Holme-endis 1515 (RSS); Hol-maynes 1550 (Q); Hoilmaynes 1625 (RGS); Howmains 1660 (Bl). O.E. hoi, a hollow.
Isle of Dalton. G. iosal, meadow land beside a stream. On the 1660 (Bl.) map all the low ground by the Dalton Burn is marked as “Datoun Loch.”
Isle of Flosh. See above. M.E. flosshe, a marshy place. Jacob’s Knowe.
Malroser. “The streamlet of” 1194 (Q.) O.E. mael, cross, sign. N. hreysi, a cairn.
Pleacairn. Place where courts were held.
Rammerscales. Ramarskalis 1419 (RGS); Raymorscalis T4^4 (Q); Rammwrchalis i486 (RGS). N. rauthr, red. N. mor, waste land. N. skali, a hut.
Rotchell. Rochel 1194 (Q).
Routing Cleuch. O.E. hrutan, to make a loud noise.
Teenan’s Hill.
Threpland. 1194 (Q). M.E. threap, a scolding contest,, dispute, whence it comes to mean land which was the subject of dispute.
Whitecroft. Houtecroftebech 1194 (Q). Nether Denbie alias Whitecroft (V.R. 1807). O.E. hwit, white, used of open pasture as opposed to wood and heather. O.E. croft, a small enclosed field, in the north adjacency to a house is usually understood (EPN).
Williamwath. Personal name and N. vath, a ford.
DORNOCK
Altar Stone. The Altarstane in Sulway 1539 (RGS).
Baysenette. 1304 (Q). The reference is to a fishing in the Solway.
Brodclewch. 1536 (A); Brotkleuch 1660 (Bl.). N. brotti, a heap of trees felled in a wood, and so, a clearing in a wood.
Butterdales. O.E. butere is often compounded with other words and is descriptive of a settlement with good pasture (EPN).
Clutesker. 1304 (Q). It appears to have been either in or on the shore of the Solway. The last part is N. sker, a rock; Jamieson gives elute, the half of the hoof of any cloven footed animal, so the name may have been given from some resemblance to a hoof.
Dornock. Dronnok 1325 (REG); Durnok i486 (Q) ; Drunok 1511 (O); Drunnok 15n (RGS); Durnock 1660 (Bl). G. dornach, a pebbly place, the pebbles being often large, “a stone that fills the fist” (CPN).
Foulsike. O.E. fid, foul, muddy.
Kindelwell. 1536 (A).
Priestholm. O.E. preosta, a priest.
Lie Rais. 1579 (ROS). N. hreysi, a stone cairn.
Robgill. Robgyll 1511 (Q). Personal name.
Robgill Strand. Robgillistrand 1538 (RGS). See above. O.E. strand, a bank.
Saugh Hope Burn. O.E. sealh, or, salig, a willow. O.E. hop, a small valley.
Stapleton. Stableton 1244 (Q); Stapiltoun 1489 (RGS); Stabiltoun 1596 (A). O.E. stapol, a pole; tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it, a village, farm.
Todholes. Todhols 1660 (Bl). Fox-holes, from N. toddi. a bunch of wool.
Tulliesfield. Tuyillgisfield 1660 (Bl). O.E. tigel, a tile.
Whan Scar.
Wylies. Wyileyes 1660 (Bl). O.E. welig or wylig, a willow; leah, a forest clearing.
DRYFESDALE
Aefur Bank. Aefur, steep land ploughed only in one direction.
Bengall. Bengalhill 1425 (RGS); Bengale 1488 (RGS), Bangall 1573 (RGS), Bengaw 1621 (RGS). G. beinn gall, the foreigner’s hill.
Bishopcleuch. Bischopescleuch 1625 (RGS). “So called from its being old church lands” (Stat. Act).
Broadgairs. N. garthr, an enclosure.
Copwood. Copwood 1542 (RGS). O.E. cop, summit, top.
Dryfesdale. Driuesdal 1116 (REG); Dryvesdal 1361 (Q);
Drift 1372 (O); Drivisdale 1464 (RGS); Driffisdaill 1501, Drysdale 15 n (Q); Drisdaill 1547 (Arms); Dryeffe 1585 (CBP).
Dryfehead. Driuesheuyd 1300 (RM). O.E. heafod, a head.
Eskrig. N. askr, ash-tree. O.E. hrycg, a ridge.
Fareholm. Ie Faranis 1488 (RGS); Fairholm 1555 (A);
Phairholm 1560 (A). N. faran, to go, hence a passage.
Janical Burn.
Lauderhook. Loudanehuke 1510 (RGS); Lowdanhuke 1516 (RGS). Loudon is doubtless British; it may stand for Lugudunum, fort of Lugus, a god who was wor-p24shipped in Britain (CPN). Hook, the bend of a river or the land enclosed by such bend (SDD).
Lockerbie. Locardebie 1194 (Q); Lokkertby 1510 (RGS); Lokarbie 15 69 (Q); Lokirbe 15 78 (A); Lokertbye 15 5 0 (Arms); Locarby 1589 (A). Personal name Locard. N. by, a farm.
Mantuarig. Mantorig 1573 (RGS); Amountua 1625 (RGS).
Pilmuir. Peel is from old French pel—and was used in England of a palisade of stakes, a stockaded enclosure. (EPN.Yorks, N.R.).
Quaas. Ie Quawis 1488 (RGS); Quavis, Ouawis 1578 (A), Quais 1589 (A). Quaw, a quagmire, a hole from which peats have been dug (SDD).
Ouhytewoollen. Ouhitwoollen 1448? Quhitwewin 1448 (Act of Scots Pari.); Quhitwolling 1580 (RGS). The first syllable is O.E. hwit, white, used of open pasture as opposed to wood and heather; wooly, used of pasture, meaning thick with sheep feeding (SDD). “Whitewynd or White Woolen, being an excellent pasturage for sheep, hence the name.” (Stat. Act). See Note 2.
Raggiewhate. N. thveit, a forest clearing. The first part may be a personal name.
Scalescleuch. N. skali, a shepherd’s summer hut.
Shillahill. Shillinghill 1828. The winnowing hill. Shillinghill, rising ground where grain can be winnowed by the wind (SDD).
Slodahill.
Slork. V.R. 1807. The general meaning of the word in (SDD) is something wet and disagreeable.
Torwood. O.E. torr, a hill.
Tukkisholm. Tukishum 1573 (RGS). Tuikisholme 1610 (RGS). Norse personal name Toki.
Turnmuir. Turmore 1464 (RGS). Turmour 1610 (RGS). Norse personal name Thurwine. O.E. mor, waste land, used more of swampy land than the modern word moor.
Watscales. Vithscalis 1452 (Q); Vest Scalis 1452 (O); p25Wetscales 1828. O.E. waed, a ford, or, with, a wood; N. skali, a hut.
Whitenessend Wood. N. hvita nes endi, white cape end.
DUMFRIES
Auchencrieff. Hauthyncreff, Hauchyncreff, Achhencrefe 1220 (Mel. Ch.); Auchincreich 1565 (EHD); Auchin-creith 1590 (RGS). G. achadh, the field; na craoibhe, of the tree.
Barnkin of Craigs. Barnkin, a stone built, enclosing wall round a castle or fort. According to a statute of 1535 it was one ell thick and six ells in height. (Arms).
Boreland. Bourelandis 1440; Bourlands 1660 (Bl). Land held on the rental of a food supply, a home farm (HM).
Burntscarthgreen. Brunsceth, Brunschaith 1220 (Mel. Ch.); Brunscayt 1249 (Mel. Ch.); Brunschet, Brunes-cayt 1250 (Mel. Ch.); Brunskarth 1590 (RGS); Brunt-skarth 1660 (Bl). N. Personal name Brunn; N. skeith, a race course.
Dalscone. Durreswen 1220 (Mel. Ch.); Drusquhem 1291 (RR); Dorsquene 1315 (RGS); Tusquen 1426 (RGS); Deskonn 1660 (Bl). The first part is probably G. dubhras, a black wood; no clue to the second part.
Dumfries. Dunfres 1175 (REG); Dunfrys 1296; Donfres, Dronfres, Drunffres 1363; Drumfreis 1321; Drumfres 13 84 (O); Dromfress 1401; Drumfrece 1499 (Q); Drum-frees 1660 (Bl). These two forms are probably not different names for the same place but the names of different places close together. The one is G. dronn, a hump, the other is G. dun, a fort. The second syllable is G. phreas, of copses. There is no ground for believing that the Frisians ever settled in Dumfries (CPN).
Kelwood. Kelwode 1323 (EHD), Kellwod 1342 (EHD); Keldewod 1370 (EHD), Keldwod 1433 (Q). N. kelda, a spring.
Nithsdale. Stranit 1124 (Q); Stratnid 1179 (REG); Aquam p26de Nythe 1369 (RGS); Nyddisdale 1411 (RGS). The old name is British and may represent W. newydd, new, fresh, but it is impossible to say with any certainty (CPN).
Trohoughton. Rahothton 1448 (Act of Scots Pari.). The first syllable is probably W. tref yr, the farm of; the last part may be a personal name. See Note 2.
DUNSCORE
Allanton. Alayntoun 1355 (Q); Allantoun 1589 (RGS); Alanetoun 1522 (Q); Allertoun 1660 (Bl). Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Bardonane. Alias Halidahill 1489 (RGS). G. barr, a hilltop; perhaps personal name Donnan.
Benan Hill. G. beannan, a little hill.
Bersewalla. Brischevallay 1465 (RGS); Barnscheinvallow 1580 (RGS); Barschenvallow 1580 (RGS); Barschin-vallo 1581 (RGS); Berscheinvallow 1592 (RGS); Bar-schevalla 1607 (Lincluden Charters); Barsievalloe 1648; Barswally. Bessiewalla (VR). G. barr, the hill-top; an t-sean bhalla, of the old wall or rampart.
Birkshaw. Birkbuss 1660 (Bl). O.E. bierce, birch; sceaga, a small wood. Buss, as in the old name, means, in old Scots, a wood consisting of oak and birch (CPN).
Black Mark. A measurement of land. See Note 1.
Black Standard. “Standard, which occurs in Dumfriesshire, as a hill name, is probably a translation of W. Human, a standard, confused with llumon, a beacon” (CPN).
Bogrie. Wogryn 1335 (Trans. 1920); Bougre 1463; Wogrie ’5^4 (Sh. Bk.); Boggry 1660 (Bl). G. bograigh, a boggy place.
Bocrock Plantation. Bourock, an enclosure, a little house (Ja).
Brockloch. Brockloch 1660 (Bl). G. broclach, a badger warren.
The Bught. A sheep or cattle fold (SDD).
Bush. Buss, in old Scots, meant a wood consisting of oak and birch (CPN).
Butt. A hill ploughed all round but with a centre portion unploughed. A small piece of land disjoined from adjacent land (SDD).
Cas. 1621 (RGS). G. cas, a foot, or, cas, a difficulty. Castramon. G. cas, a foot; troman, an elder bush.
Chapel. Schaipell 1580 (Sh. Bk.); Chapell 1660 (Bl).
Clack Cleuch. G. clach, a stone.
Coldside. O.E. cald, cold; side, the slope of a hill.
Collieston. Colestoun 1573 (Sh. Bk.); Colliston 1577; Collistoun 1660 (Bl). Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Coneish Burn. G. con, a dog or otter; inis (or innis), a meadow, sheltered valley.
Corsefield. W. cors, a bog.
Craigdasher. G. creag deisir, sun-facing crag (CPN).
Craigenputtock. Kraiginputtock 1660 (Bl). G. creagan, a little crag; and either G. putach, abounding in grouse, or modern puttock, a buzzard.
Craigenvey.
Crory Wood. Possibly G. crathrach, a boggy place.
Cuil Bridge. G. cuil, a corner.
Dalgoner. Dawgonare 1528; Dalgoner 1581 (RGS); Dal-gonnour 1648; Dalgouner 1649; Dalgonir 1660 (Bl). G. dal, a field; gConchobhair, Connor’s, the g being due to eclipsis. G. conair, a path, is possible. (Prof. Watson.)
Dempsterton. Dempstartoun 1521 (RGS). The Dempster’s farm. Dempster was also a personal name in 1592 (RGS). A Dempster was an officer under the Warden. Dempster, a judge, an officer of court who pronounces doom (SDD).
Dinning. G. dunan, a little fort.
Doddies Burn. Doddy, literally, without horns, used of a bare hill.
Doddiesliggat. For Doddie see above. O.E. hlidgeat, a p28swing gate, especially one across a highway to prevent cattle straying (EPN).
Drum. Dyum 1660 (Bl). G. druim, a ridge.
Dunscore. Dunscor 1220 (Mel. Ch.); Dunescor 1300; Dun-scoir 1580 (RGS); Dunskoir 1660 (Bl). W. din, a fort; W. ysgor, a bulwark or rampart. (Trans. 1923.)
Edgarton. Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Ellisland. Alysland 1499; Alliesland 1634. Personal name.
Farthingwell. Ferdingwell 1580 (RGS); Ferdinawellie 1621 (RGS). Farthing, a measurement of land. See Note 1.
Ferdingdrumbane. 1621 (RGS). See above. G. druim ban, white ridge.
Ferdingilroy. 1621 (RGS). See above. Personal name Gilroy.
Fraserford. Personal name.
Friar’s Carse. Freirhauch 1564 (RGS); Freircars 1566; Freercarss 1660 (Bl). W. cors, a bog. The old name shows O.E. healh, a corner, recess, hidden place.
The Garroch. Crosgarriauch, Crossengarriauch 1220 (Meh Ch.). G. gairbheach, place of roughness (CPN).
Gateside. Gaitsyd 1592 (RGS). N. gata, a road. O.E. side, the slope of a hill.
Gilgall.
Gilmerston. Gilmerstoun 1660 (Bl). G. gille Moire, Mary’s servant, and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it. Names beginning with gille are characteristic of the period after A.D. 1000 (CPN).
Glenesslin. Glenesclan 1220 (Mel. Ch.); Gleneslyn 1471 (O); Glenessing 1572 (O); Glenesslane 1605 (O); Glen-slain 1606 (Q); Glen Esslann 1660 (Bl). G. gleann easlinn, glen of the waterfall pool (CPN).
Glengunyeoch. 1580 (RGS); Glengunyock 1580 (RGS); Glengunnoch 1621 (RGS). G. gleann gainmheach,. sandy glen.
Glenmids.
Goosedubs. Goose pond.
Hagg Wood. N. hagg, cutting, a right of cutting wood.
Herd Hill. O.E. heord, a flock.
High Germany. (A hill.)
Junken. or Nether Bessiewalla (V.R. 1807).
Kellieston. Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Kenmore. Kenmoir 1660 (Bl). G. ceann mhor, big headed place.
Killyleoch. Killelego 1578 (Sh. Bk.); Cullelagoch 1581 (RGS); Killielago 1648. G. coille, a wood; lagach, a hollow place.
Kilroy. Kilroy 1621 (RGS). G. coill ruadh, red wood.
Knockoure. G. cnoc odhar, dun coloured hill.
Knocktimpton. G. cnoc, a hill; tiompan, a rounded hump.
Lag. G. lag, a hollow.
Laggan Park. Laganis 1621 (RGS). G. lagan, a small hollow.
Laggan Burn. Pollogan 1214 (Mel. Ch.); Pollelogan 1220 (Mel. Ch.). G. poll, a sluggish stream; lagan, a small hollow.
Lake of Dunschor. 1220 (Mel. Ch.). See Dunscore.
Lettrick. G. leitreacha or leatracha, slopes.
Linburn. Formerly Lintburn, viz., the place where flax was soaked.
Lochanlee. G. lochan, a small loch; Hath, grey.
Lochlea. G. loch Hath, grey loch.
Lochmailing. Lcchmellan 1828. G. maoilinn, loch of the brow of the hill.
Lochmederie. Lochmadeerie 1828. G. loch meadaran, small round loch, or, loch meidre, loch of (the) churn.
McCheynston. Maschowstoun 1621 (RGS); Chainston 1828. This, and the three following, appear to be O.E. names with G. Mac prefixed.
McCubbington. Makcubingstoun 1621 (RGS). See above.
McMurdoston. See above.
Makraithishill. 1526 (RGS). See above.
The Mark. A measurement of land, see note 1.
Merkland. A measurement of land, see note 1.
Millielintoun. 1621 (RGS).
Moat. O.E. mot, originally a meeting place. As meetings were usually held on mounds the name came to be used of any mound of earth surrounded by a ditch.
Muttonhole.
Nether Yett. O.E. geat, a gate.
Penflowing Bridge. W. pen, a head; possibly W. ffloyw, bright.
Poundland. A measurement of land. See note 1.
Shangan—Drumshangan. G. druim, a ridge; seangain, of the ant.
Shank. O.E. sceanga, a tongue of land.
Shillingland. A measurement of land. See note 1.
Skelston. Skistoun 1660 (Bl). Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Skinford. Skynfurde 1577 (RGS). Skinfurt 1660 (Bl). G. sgithean, thorn bushes.
Skioch. 1660 (Bl.) G. sgitheach, a thorn bush.
Stroquhan. Straquhan 1582 (Sh. Bk.); Stronwhonn 1660 (Bl). G. srath choin, the dog’s valley.
Styebrae. Stey, steep.
Sundaywell. Soundevell 1511 (RGS); Soundayvell 1548; Sondayvoll 1590 (RGS); Sanda wall 1600; Sundayvoll 1648; Sundaywale 1660; Sundaywell 1660 (Bl). It is probable that this name means exactly what it says, there is Tobar an Domhnaich, Sunday’s Well, in Morayshire (CPN p. I52.)
The Swyre—Swyre 1523 (Q). O.E. sweora, a neck, col. Thorngower. G. gobhar, a goat.
Wynbrughlaw. 1660 (Bl). Personal name. O.E. burh, a fortified place; hlaw, a hill.
DURRISDEER
Annottona. 1370 (RGS); Annok 1563 (Arms); Annestoun ^57o (RGS). Annot s farm or dwelling'.” Annot was a female personal name (CPN).
Ardoch. Ardauch 1471 (Q); Ardoch 1544 (Q); Ardoche J56i (Q); Ardocht 15 73 (Q); Airdoch 1660 (Bl). “High place.” G. ard, high, with -ach suffix (CPN).
Auchenbay. G. achadh, the field; na beithe, of the birch tree.
Auchenbraith. G. achadh, the field; na Breatan, of the Briton, viz., a native of Wales or Strathclyde.
Auchengair. G. achadh, the field; na gaire, of the nearness, juxta-position.
Auchenhearth Burn. G. achadh, the field.
Auchenlon. G. achadh, the field; an loin, of the marsh.
Auchenlour Burn. G. achadh, the field; an lobhair, of the leper.
Auchenmulleran. Go achadh, the field; nam muillearan, of the millers.
Auchensell. Achincell 1456 (O); Achinsell 1506 (Q), and 1660 (Bl). G. achadh, the field; na sail, of the~willow trees.
Auchenskeoch. Auchenskeoch 1566; Auchenskeuch. G. achadh, the field; na sgitheach, of the hawthorn.
Auchenton. G. achadh, the field; na tona, of the backside. The term is often used of the other side of a hill.
Ballagan. Ballagayn 1471 (Q); Ballagane 1537 (Sh. Bk); Ballogane 1619 (Trans. 1920); Ballaga 1660 (Bl). G. baile, the house; lagain, of the hollow.
Ballyan.
Belstane. Probably a corruption of Bell’s tun, or farm.
Birny Rig. Birny, covered with charred stems of heather, or might be G. braonaigh, an oozy place (CPN).
Blawbar. G. blar, a plain; barr, a hill-top.
Capel Hill. G. capull, a horse, or, caibeal, a chapel.
Cardingmill Bridge—Self explanatory.
Cloich. G. cloich, literally “at stone,” probably refers to some particular stone.
Collinie. G. coil leanaidhe, wood of the damp meadows (CPN).
Coshogle. Calschogill 1315 (RGS); Corschogylle 1320 (RGS); Calsehogill 1480 (Sh. Bk.); Cowsowgill 1481 (Q); Coschogill 1526 (O); Cosschogle 1569 (Q); Casho-gill 1660 (Bl). G. cars seogail, carse of the rye.
Cragcrochery. 1470 (O). G. creag crochadhaire, the hangman’s crag.
Crairie Hill. Crariknow 1542 (RGS); Crare 1561 (O); Crarie 1573 (Q); Craryknowe 1660 (Bl). G. crathrach, a boggy place.
Cringan Hill. Perhaps G. crioncan, strife.
Cruercraig. 1315 (RGS).
Dalveen. Dalvene 1562 (O); Dalwene 1569 (Q); Daueyn 1660 (Bl). G. dail, a meadow; mhin, smooth.
Deerhass. N. hals, a pass, “Deer pass.”
Dern Cleuch. O.E. derne, hidden, or dern, fierce, wild (SDD).
Dinabid Linn. Perhaps G. dun abaide, the fort of the abbey. G. linne, a pool.
Douchra. 1542 (RGS); Duchara 1581 (RGS). G. dubh chathraigh, place of black, broken, mossy ground.
Drumcruilton. Drumcrule 1472 (Trans. 1920); Drumcol-trane 1578 (Sh. Bk.); Drumcoltram 1582; Drumcruyil 1660 (Bl). G. druim Cultrain, the ridge of Cultran (HM).
Drumlanrig. Drumlangryg 1384 (O); Drumlangrig 1412 (Q); Drumlanryge 1429 (O); Drumlanerigh 1496 (Q); Drumlanerik 1496 (O); Drumlanerk 1536 (Q), Drumlan-grik 1569 (Q); Domlaneryk 1583 (CBP). G. druim, the ridge. W. llanerch, a clearing in the forest (CPN).
Durrisdeer. Dorisdeir 1320 (RGS); Doresder 1329; Dores-deer 1335; Dorysder 1401 (REG); Dorsder 1426 (REG); Durisder 1430 (REG); Dusdere 1566 (Arms); Disdeer p331577 (Q); Dursdyir 1660 (Bl). G. dubhras, a black wood; doire, a copse.
Eller Cleuch. O.E. alor, alder.
Enoch Castle. Enauth 1280; Enache 1306; Ennache 1320 (RGS); Enach 1471; Emath 1473; Enoch 1660 (Bl). G. eanach, a marsh.
Enoch Waulkmill. See above. N. valka, to full or dress cloth.
Enterkin Burn. Interkyinn 1660 (Bl).
Fardingbank—Fardinghole. A measurement of land. See Note 1.
Fyrdinfarn. 1470 (O). A measurement of land. G. fearn, alder. See Note 1.
Gateslacks. Gaitslakkis 1478 (Trans. 1920). N. geit, a goat, or, gata, a road; slakki, a shallow valley.
Gilmawhallan Hill.
Glenaggart. Perhaps corruption from G. gleann an t-sagairt, the priest’s glen, or, might well be G. gleann agairt, plea-glen.
Glenairlie.
Glenbo. G. gleann bo, glen of the cows.
Glenhourie.
Glenim. Glennimm 1660 (Bl). G. gleann ime, butter glen.
Glenleith Fell. W. glyn Haith, damp glen.
Glenskelly. G. gleann sgealaighe, glen of the teller of tales, or, of the bard (CPN).
Glenvalentine.
Hapland. Hapland 1660 (Bl). Hap, the fruit of the briar, or, to cover for concealment or protection (Ja).
Humbieholm. Humby 1544 (Q). Personal name Hume and N. by, a farm.
Ingleston. Inglynstona 1370 (RGS); Inglistoun 1397. Personal name Inglis, or, “The Englishman’s Farm.’’
Jenny Hair’s Bridge.
Kirkbride. Kyrkbrid 1471 (Q). St. Brigid’s Church. “Brigid of Kildare died about 526; her name became p34so popular .... that we have no certainty that this place commemorates her.” (CPN).
Kirkcaldy. W. caer, a fort; caled, hard; dunan, a fort. Originally probably a name such as Caletodunon, hard fort, the prefix caer having been added later.” (CPN).
Knockgalie. G. cnoc, a hill.
Knoktone. 1544 (Q). G. cnoc tona, hill of the backside.
Lagnee. G. lag, the hollow; an fheidh, of the deer.
Lavern Burn. G. labhar, loud (CPN).
Lugdow. W. lug dhu, black hollow place.
Macehill. W. maes, an open field.
McVeigh’s Rock.
Mar. These names are traces of the time when the land belonged to the Earls of Mar, about the 12th cent. “It is worth noting that Mar was a British personal name.” (CPN).
Marouflat. 1499 (O).
Pettylung. Looks like W. peth y long, portion, or, croft of the ship, but the situation does not suit this.
Sampson and his Wife. (Rocks.)
Scadden Cleuch. Scadden, thin, narrow (SDD).
Scaw’d Law. Scaw’d, land having bare, brown patches; worthless (SDD). O.E. hlaw, a hill.
Slunkford. Slunk, a quagmire (SDD).
Smuring Hags. Smure, to smother, drown, conceal (SDD).
Steygail. Stey, steep, hard to climb; gail, a gable.
Strandbow. Lie Strandheid 1587 (RGS). Strand, a burn (SDD).
Stroouhairn. G. sron, the headland; chairn, of the cairn. Sware Knowe. O.E. sweora, a neck, col.
Thirstane Hill. Probably personal name Thorsteinn.
Travercraig. 1315 (RGS). W. tref yr craig, house of the crag.
Warlish Craig.
Wham Brae. O.E. hwamm, a wide flat glen through which a stream runs (EPN).
Wylie Grain. Vylly 1660 (Bl). O.E. welig, wylig, a willow. N. grein, a fork, a small valley opening out of a larger.
Yad Grain. Yad, an old mare, for Grain see above.
Yearn Cleuch. O.E. earn, an eagle.
Yell Hill. N. gelid, barren (J).
ESKDALEMUIR
Aberlosk. Abirlosk 1613 (RGS). Br. aber, the mouth of a river. W. llusog, bushy. The word “aber” only occurs twice in Dumfriesshire.
Aspie Sike. O.E. aespe, aspen.
Birny Rig. Birny, covered with charred stems of heather.
Birren Knowe. O.E. burgaens, a burial place, and then any large heap of loose stones.
Blaeberry Fell. Blaberry Wood in Forest 1660 (Bl).
Blake Eskghares. 1660 (Bl). Gair, a patch of green on a hillside (SDD), or N. garthr, an enclosure.
Bloodhope Burn. O.E. hop, a small valley among the hills.
Bught Gair. Bright, a sheepfold. See Blake Eskghares, ante.
Buzzard Linn. O.E. hlynn, a torrent, waterfall, pool.
Cassock. Cassakis 1568 (RGS); Cassope 1613 (RGS); Cassak 1660 (Bl). G. casach, a steep ascent.
Castle O’er. G. caisteal odhar, grey castle.
Cauld Law. Colda Hill 1660 (Bl). O.E. cald hlaw, cold hill.
Cherry Lair. O.E. leger, a lair; originally used of a burial place, the association with animals is quite modern (EPN).
Cleggy Sike. Cleggy, frequented by clegs, or, O.E. claeg, clay.
Clerk Hill. Probably from most of Eskdale being owned by Melrose Abbey about 1200.
Cog Rig. Cog, a wedge or scotch for a wheel.
Colquhare. 1568 (RGS). G. cuil, a nook; a chuirr, of the corner or pit.
Coltroad Lair. For Lair see Cherry Lair, ante.
Cot. Cotlaw 1329 (RM); Cott 1660 (Bl). O.E. cot, a cottage. Craighaugh. Craikhauch 1573 (A). W. craig, a rock. O.E. healh, a corner, recess, secret place.
Crukithauch. 1568 (RGS). Self explanatory.
Cubenburn. 1568 (RGS).
Cuttet Sike. G. cutach, short, modern cutty.
Davington. Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it. In O.E. the suffix -ing corresponds to G. Mac.
Deil’s Jingle. (An earthwork). Jingle, gravel (SDD).
Dumfedling. Dunfedling 1568 (RGS); Dumfelding 1563 (Arms).
Enenlesis. 1568 (RGS). Supposed to be the same as Aber-losk. Possibly G. abhainn, a stream; lusach, abounding in plants.
Esk. Esch 1145 (Mel. Ch.); Eschedale 1165 (Mel. Ch.); Hesch 1190 (Q); Eskisdale 1300 (RM); Esdell 1583 (Q). Br. isca (G. easg), a fen.
Eskdalemuir. Eskdale Mur 1376 (RM); Esdaill Muyr 1553 (Arms); Esdelmure 1568 (RGS); Erskadaill Moore 1653 (Arms). See Esk, ante.
Ettrick Pen. Hill of penn of Esdaile Moore 1660 (Bl). I. etrice, a small stream; W. pen, a head.
Foulbog. Foulboig 1629 (RGS). O.E. ful, muddy.
Garwald Water. Gartuald 1568 (RGS). G. garbh, rough; allt, a stream.
Glendearg. Glendarg 1568 (RGS). G. gleann dearg, red glen.
Glenditing. 1660 (Bl).
Hamlin Knowe. O.E. hamelian, to distort, crooked.
Hand Fasting Hauch. The tongue of land between the two Esks. Here, in old days, a fair was held and engagements were made by joining hands or “hand fasting.” The connection was binding for one year only, after that either party was at liberty to break the engagement and form a new one or renew it for life. Amongst others p37John, Lord Maxwell, and a sister of the Earl of Angus were hand fasted in January 1572 (Trans. 1896).
Hareshaw Rig. O.E. har, old, grey; sceaga, a small wood; hrycg, a ridge. The word “har” is also descriptive of a boundary (EPN). It might also be O.E. hara, a hare.
Harewood Burn. Harewude 1165 (Mel. Ch.); Harewde 1220 (Mel. Ch.) See above.
Hartfell. Hertesheued, Hertesheved 1180 (Mel. Ch.). O.E. heorot, a stag. N. fell, a hill. The old name shows O.E. heafod, a head.
Hartmanor. O.E. heorot, a stag; also used as a personal name. Manor, Norman-French for a township or W. maenor, the stone-built residence of the chief of the district (CPN).
Hawbirren. O.E. haga, a hedge; burgaens, a burial place.
The Kaim. O.E. camb, comb, then used of a crest and later of a ridge of land. (EPN).
Kiddamhill.
Kil Burn. Kirk burn.
Kimming Syke. Kimmin, a large shallow tub (SDD).
Lairing Sike. See Cherry Lair, ante.
Letterstone Leterstoin 1660 (Bl). Might be G. leitir, a hill slope.
Maillie Knowe. G. maille, a helmet.
Massiessait. 1615 (RGS); Massieseat 1621 (RGS); Massiesaitt 1633 (RGS). Personal name Maessa; N. saetr, a summer pasture farm.
Mid Kipple Craig.
Milsie Brae. Milsie, applied to a wall with battlements (SDD).
Mitchell Hill. O.E. micel, great large.
Monkingshaw Knowe. Munkumshawes 1660 (Bl)—shaw; O.E. sceaga, a small wood. The name is probably connected with Melrose Abbey owning most of Eskdale about 1200.
Moodlaw. O.E. mod, a gathering; hlaw, a hill.
Mossfauld. O.E. fald, a fold, but not confined to a sheepfold.
Muckle Howstruther Burn. N. mikil, great; O.E. hoi, a hollow; M.E. Strother, a marsh.
Pengrain. Probably O.E. penn, an enclosure, pen; N. grein, a branch, a small valley opening out of a larger.
Pentland Hill.
Plea Knowe. Place where courts were held.
Pockleaf. Powcleiff 1613 (RGS).
Post Office Knowe. Origin unknown. It stands on the County March by an old road that goes from Craig-hauch to Borthwick Water. The Statistical Account speaks of the road as just going to be made.
Pouhorrel. 1660 (Bl.); G. poll, a sluggish stream; the second part is the personal name Harold. (Prof. Watson).
Powdanna Burn. Powdono 1568 (RGS); Paudona, Pow-dona 1613 (RGS); G. poll, a sluggish stream; dona, bad.
Powmuckburn. G. poll, a sluggish stream; muc, a pig. It might be a corruption of Powmonc 1568 (RGS); Pow-monk 1613 (RGS), as I can find no such name on the 6 in. map.
Pry Hole. Pry, the carex grass, a kind of sedge.
Pudding Hole. A round hole in the ground.
Puttingstaneholme. 1623 (RGS); Puttinstaineholme 1633 (RGS). Putting stane, a heavy stone used in putting (SDD).
Queen’s Mire.
Quickningair. Quicken, the rowan, or, couch grass; gair, a patch of green on a hillside (SDD).
Raeburn. Raburnis 1568 (RGS). O.E. ra, a roe deer.
Rafftree Grain. Raff, a rank, worthless growth; N. grein, a branch, a small valley opening out of a larger.
Rennald Burn. Rennel or rendal, land held by a tenant in discontinuous plots, run-rig (SDD).
Rodormitkkig. 1660 (Bl).
Roney Sire. Rone, a tangle of brushwood, thorns, etc. (SDD).
Rough Castle Hill. Rucch Castel Hill 1660 (Bl).
Screisburgh. 1315 (RGS); Scraiesburgh 1320 (RGS); Skraisburgh 1660 (Bl). The first part is probably a personal name, but might be scree, loose stones on a hillside; O.E. burh, a fortified place.
Sergeant Knowe. Called after a member of the Beattie family who was King’s Sergeant and Officer of Eskdale, 1552. (Hist. Monument Commission Report.)
Sharney Sike. O.E. scearn, dung, filth.
Sillie Knowe. G. sailech, willow, or the place of willows. Snailcap Knowe. A round knowe like a snail’s shell.
Stell Bush Edge. O.E. steall, a place, stall; Bush in old Scots meant a wood consisting of oak and birch (CPN).
Tanlawhill. Tandla Hill 1660 (Bl). I. teannail, a beacon fire, hence, tandla, a bonfire.
Teviot Knowe. Possibly derived from the base terne-, dark. The Welsh river Terne has an old form Teueityawc, which is almost the same as Teviot. The wide distribution of the base in lands once Celtic shows that it must be of Celtic origin (ERN). For further details refer to Terne and Team in ERN.
Thickside. Thick, thatch. O.E. side, the slope of a hill.
Todshawhill. Todschawhill 1568 (RGS). Tod, a fox, from N. toddi, a bunch of wool; O.E. sceaga, a small wood.
Tomleuchar Burn. Tomloher 1124 (Mel. Ch.); Thumer-loch 1200 (Mel. Ch.); Tomlaquhair 1613 (RGS). G. tom, a clump, a small knowe; luachra, of rushes (CPN).
Toothope Hill. O.E. hop, a small valley; Toothill means Lookout Hill. (EPN Sussex p. 64).
Trainpool Burn. N. trani, a crane, more probably a heron.
Trienhauch. 1660 (Bl). G. trian, a third part (CPN). O.E. healh, a corner, recess, a hidden place.
Tuaikbrauch. 1479 (Arms) and 1660 (Bl). O.E. burh, a fortified place.
Twiglees. Tuiglies 1660 (Bl). O.E. leah, a forest clearing.
Tynunerhill. 1568 (RGS).
Vyall Burn. 1660 (Bl).
Watcarrick. Weidkerroc, Weit Kerrock 1124 (Mel. Ch.); Wathkerrok 1255 (Mel. Ch.); Wath Kerrock 1360 (Mel. Ch.); Walkarrequhat 1568 (RGS); Watcariot 1613 (RGS); Watterok 1613 (RGS). Weid is O.E. waed, a ford; wath is N. vath, with the same meaning; W. car reg, a rock.
Watcarrick Dinnings. See above. G. dunan, a fort.
Whisgyll. 1584 (CBP). (On the Black Esk.) G. uisge, water.
Worms Cleuch. W. gwrm, dun.
Yade Moss. Yade, a horse or mare (SDD).
EWES
Allery Sike. O.E. alor, alder.
Arkleton. Archiltoune 1504 (Arms); Arkiltoun 1610 (RGS); Erkiltoun 1660 (Bl). ArnketiTs tun or farm.
Bittleston. Personal name Byttel. O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Brerieschaw. 1610 (RGS). O.E. braer, briar; sceaga, a small wood.
Bught Knowe. Bught, a sheepfold.
Burngrains. Burngranis 1542 (RGS). N. grein, a branch, a small valley opening out of a larger.
Carewoodrig. Kerriot Rig 1660 (Bl); Carror Rig 1828; Carrot Rig (V.R). G. cathair riabhach, grey fort, or, W. carreg, a rock. Cf. Watcarrick, Eskdalemuir. It might also be from N. kjarr, copsewood.
Carlintooth. Carlin, an old woman, a witch, probably refers to some physical feature.
Carsemungo Sike. Crosmungo 1612 (RGS). G. crosg, a crossing, or cros, a cross. Mungo is St. Kentigern.
Castlewink. O.E. wincel, a corner, angle.
Cloak Knowe. W. clog, a crag.
Cockplay Hill.
Conrick Hill. G. comhrag, a meeting, confluence (CPN). Cooms. Coumm 1660 (Bl). O.E. cumb, a valley.
Crude Hill. Might be croude, a fiddle.
Cue Sike. W. cau, a holloyv.
The Dewhouses. 1564 (CBP); Dewscoir 1621 (RGS).
Enterluce Sike. Last syllable is G. lus, a plant.
Erkiltoun Feld. 1660 (Bl). See Arkleton, ante. O.E. feld, field, but originally used of open land as opposed to wood.
Ewes. Ewichedale 1181 (Arms); Ewycedale, Ewytesdale 12 96 (RM); Ewithsdale 1336 (Arms), Ewnysedale 1348 (Arms), Eusdale 1438 (Arms); Ewsdayll 1482 (Arms); Ewisdail 1540 (A); Use 1583 (Q). I. os, water, similar to the English name Ouse (EPN, Vol. 1, p. 24).
Eweslees. See Ewes, above. O.E. leah, a forest clearing. Ewichedoris. 1315 (RGS). See Ewes, above. G. dubhras, a black wood, or G. dorus, a door.
Fauchwin Sike. O.E. fag, stained, variegated; modern fauch, fallow ground, dun coloured.
Fiddleton. Fiddletoun 1506 (RGS); Fidilton 1584 (CBP). Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Flaskholm. Flask 1552 (RGS); Flaskholme 1610 (RGS). N. flask, swampy, low lying grass land.
Frodaw Height.
Glendivan. Glendowane 1542 (RGS); Glendoven 1610 (RGS); Glendouin 1660 (Bl). W. glyn ddwfn, deep glen.
Glendow. G. gleann dubh, black glen.
Glenreif.
Glenvachane. 1506 (Arms); Glenrachane 1506 (Arms); Glengachane 1660 (Bl).
Glenvarren. Glenvorane 1506 (RGS); Glenworran 1584 (CBP); Glenvoran 1660 (Bl). G. gleann bhoirann, glen of the big rocks.
Gluthering Sike. To make a gurgling sound.
Greenbanno—Greybanno Sikes. Perhaps G. beannach, horned.
Guile Hass. Guile, the corn-marigold (SDD). N. hals, a pass.
Hartrith Rig. O.E. heorot, a stag; rith, a small stream.
Hartsgarth N. hjarta, a stag, but more probably, in this case, used as a personal name; N. garthr, an enclosure.
Hoghill. Howgill 1610 (RGS); Howgill 1660 (Bl). O.E. hoi, a hollow.
Jock’s Hope. Ihockshoop 1660 (Bl.). O.E. hop, a small hollow among the hills.
Kaplestone. Cepilstane 1660 (Bl).
Kirkstyle. Kirktoun 1426 (Arms), Kirktoun 1660 (Bl). O.E. steall, a place, site.
Ludsgill Sware. Personal name, Luda. O.E. sweora, a neck, col.
Malnarlande. 1426 (Arms).
Martin Hope. Martinhoope 1660 (Bl). Personal name and O.E. hop, a small hollow among the hills.
Meikledale. Mikkildale 1426 (Arms). N. mikil dalr, big valley.
Mzsspaul. Mospaw 1506 (RGS). W. maes, a field; pwll, a stream.
Mosspeeble. Mospebil 1506 (RGS); Mosspeels 1660 (Bl). W. maes, a field; pebyll, a tent (CPN).
Penangushope. Penangoshope 1390 (Mel. Ch.); Penangow-shoip 1621 (RGS). W. pen, a head; personal name and O.E. hop, a small hollow among the hills.
Pikethow. Pikethow 1660 (Bl). Pike, a cairn of stones on the highest point of a hill; N. haugr, a hill.
Le Pullis. 1426 (RGS). O.E. pull, a pool.
Scawdrank. Scatbank 1660 (Bl). M.E. scored, cut, scored; scaw’d, used of land having bare, brown patches, worthless (SDD).
Senbigill. 1426 (RGS).
Sebrings Hill. Perhaps O.E. saeppe, a spruce.
Sorbie. Sowreby 1349 (RM); Sourbie 1426 (Arms); Sorbie 1610 (RGS); Sourby 1660 (Bl). N. saur, a swamp; by, a farm.
Stibbiegill. Stippilgillis 1610 (RGS).
Stockcleuch. O.E. stocc, a post, tree-stump.
Stocking Sike. O.E. stocking, a piece of land cleared of tree stumps.
Sware Knowe. O.E. sweora, a neck, col.
Swingill Suegill, Swegill 1329 (Mel. Ch.). O.E. swin or N. svin, swine. Dr Sedgefield considers the first syllable Swin- in place names represents the personal name Sveinn or Swithun.
Tamond Heights. W. tan, fire; the second syllable is an example of shortened G. monadh, a hill. (Prof. Watson).
Terrona. Teoronane 1532 (RGS); Torronane 1610 (RGS); Torronna 1660 Bl). G. torr, a hill; and possibly personal name Ronan.
Thack Sike N. thakk, thatch.
Unthank. Unthank 1506 (RGS). O.E. un-thank, ingratitude, referring to the barren soil. “The name denotes a piece of ground on which some squatter settled without leave of the lord.” (T).
Whita Rig. O.E. whit, white, used of open pasture land as opposed to woodland and heather; hrycg, a ridge.
Wisp Hill. Wisp, the nest of a wild bee made on the surface of the ground (SDD).
Wolf Hope. Wulfhup 1214 (Mel. Ch.); Woulfhoup 1660 (Bl). The first syllable might refer to the animal or be the personal name Ulf. O.E. hop, a small valley among the hills. In the charter to the Abbey of Melrose the monks were prohibited from using snares except to catch wolves.
Wrae. Wra 1542 (RGS). N. vra, corner, tongue of land, piece of good land wedged in between useless land (S).
Wraithes. 1621 (RGS). G. rath, a fort.
GLENCAIRN
Allar Pool. O.E. alor, alder.
Ardnacloich. G. ard, the height; na cloiche, of the stone. Arstroan. 1471 (Q); Arynstroane 1550 (RGS). G. ard, the height; na srdine, of the headland.
Auchencheyne. Auchinyean 1549 (RGS); Auchincheane 1563. G. achadh, the field; na teine, of the fire.
Auchenfedrick. Auchinfathrik 1505 (RGS). G. achaid-hean Phadruig, Patrick’s fields.
Auchenstroane. Auchinstrowane 1581 (Sh. Bk.); Achin-strowan 1660 (Bl). G. achadh, the field; na srdine, of the headland.
Balenie. Ballonnie (6 in. map). G. baile, the house; leanaidhe, of the damp meadows (CPN).
Balmakane. 1398. G. baile Mac Cathain, the house of the sons of Cathan. See also Crawfordton.
Barbuie. Blarby 1577 (Sh. Bk.); Barbowy 1581 (RGS); Barbuy 1660 (Bl). G. barr buidhe, yellow hill-top.
Bardannoch. Bardanach 1471 (Q); Bardanacht 1498 (Sh. Bk.); Bardonnach 1544 (O); Bardanachis 1544 (Q); Bardannoch 1660 (Bl). G. barr, the hill-top.
Barinch. G. barr innis, might mean excellent meadow, crop meadow, or similar. (Prof. Watson).
Barregan. Barquhregane 1567 (Sh. Bk.); Barquhragane 1582 (Sh. Bk.); Barquhreggany 1592 (RGS). G. barr a’chreagain, hill-top of the little crag.
Benbuie. Benbowy 1511 (RGS); Benboye I5J3; Benbuy 1660 (Bl). G. beinn bhuidhe, yellow hill.
Benbrack. Benbraik Hill 1660 (Bl). G. beinn bhreac, speckled hill.
Berry Craig.
Birkshaw. O.E. bierce sceaga, birch wood.
Blairoch. Blarache 1484 (RGS); Blaroch 1511 (RGS); Blarick 1660 (Bl). G. blarach, a dappled place, i.e. part grass and part heather.
Boddam. (V.R. 1807). O.E. botm, the bottom of a valley.
Boreland. Land held on the rental of a food supply, a home farm (HM).
Brattlestoun. (V.R. 1807). Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Breckonside. Brakensyde 1481 (O); Brekanesyde 1577-M.E. braken, bracken. O.E. side, the slope of a hill.
Cairn. (River.) See Glencairn below.
Caitloch. Kadildacht 1484 (RGS); Cadiltach 1511 (RGS); Cadzeloch 1567 (Sh. Bk.); Kadeloch 1577 (Sh. Bk.); Kaitloch 1660 (Bl). Might be G. cadalach, sleepy, dull, lethargic, or, cadaltachd, sleepiness.
Calside. O.E. cald, cold; side, the slope of a hill.
Cambuscairn. G. camus Cairn, the bend of the river Cairn. See Glencairn.
Cammonell. (V.R. 1807).
Carlae Hill. G. carr, a rock; Hath, grey.
Carnisskar. 1612.
Castlefern. Balifern 1320 (RGS); Castelpharne 1548 (Sh. Bk). Castelfurn 1660 (Bl). G. caisteal fearna, alder castle.
Claak. (V.R. 1807). G. clach, a stone.
Clone Road. Clonegate 1828. G. claon, oblique, or,, cluain, a meadow.
Conrick. Conraich 1506 (RGS); Conraicht 1547; Conrach J549 (RGS); Konrick 1660 (Bl). G. cotnhrag, a meeting,- confluence (CPN).
Cordean. 1494 (RGS). W. cardden, a thicket.
Cornharrow. G. cor na h-airbhe, the round hill of the-dividing wall or boundary (CPN).
Craes Hill.
Craigdarroch. Cragdarache 1475 (RGS); Cargdarache 1483 (RGS); Cragdarrach 1506 (RGS); Craigdalroc 1538 (Sh. Bk.); Kraigdarrach 1660 (Bl). G. creag darach, crag of the oak.
Craigenbeast. G. creag na beiste, crag of the beast or monster.
Craiglearian. Craglereane 1506 (RGS); Craigleriane 1537 (Sh. Bk.); Kraiglearan 1660 (Bl); Craiglirian (6 in. map). G. creag, a crag.
Craiglour. G. creag labhar, loud crag, or, creag lobhair, crag of the leper.
Craigmuie. Craigmoy 1581 (RGS). G. creag muighe, crag of the plain (CPN).
Craigneston. Cragnestoun 1511 (RGS); Cragnestane 1549 .(RGS); Kraignesta 1660 (Bl).
Crawfordton. Crawfordstoun 1471 (Q); Craufurdtoun 1506 (Q); Crawfordstoun alias Balmakane 1508 (Q); Crawfurdstone 1574 (Q); Krafurd 1660 (Bl). Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Creechan. Creochane 1481 (O); Crechawchquhen 1511 (Q); Creakane 1511 (Q); Croquhan 1513 (O); Creichane 1544 (Q); Creachane 1538 (Sh. Bk); Crichane 1583 (Sh. Bk); Krichen 1660 (Bl); Crichen (VR). G. creachann, the bare wind-swept top of a hill (CPN).
Crossford Scroggs. Scrogg, rough land covered with stunted bushes.
Cukstoune. 147 5; Kuykland 1489 (RGS); Cuketoun 1508. Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Dalmacallan. Drummakcallane 1508. G. dail Mac Allan, the field of the sons of Allan. This may be connected with Allan of Galloway, who died 1234; he was the last Lord of Galloway to be called King (D and G).
Dalwhat. Dalquhot 1511 (RGS); Dalquhete 1514; Dal-quhat 1544 (Q); Dawhat 1660 (Bl). G. dail chat, field of the wild cats.
Dardarroch. Bardarache 1320 (RGS); Durydaroch 1400; Dardarroch 1660 (Bl). G. doire, the copse; darach, of the oak.
Darnangill. 1511 (RGS); Darnagillie 1549 (RGS). G. doire, the copse; an gille, of the servant, or, nan gille, of the servants.
Dibbin Lane. Dibbin Hill, Dibbini Montes 1660 (Bl). Dibbin, full of puddles, muddy; lane, a stream of which the motion is so slow as to be hardly perceptible (HM).
Drumloff. Drumlof 1660 (Bl).
Dunglaston. Dungelstoun 1660 (Bl). Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Dunreggan. Dunraggane 1509 (RGS); Drumregane 1539 (RGS). G. dun, the fort.
Ellrig Moss. G. eileirg, an ambush. The word was used of a defile into which deer were driven and killed as they passed through; they were also driven into a moss and killed when stuck in the bog. (CPN).
Ewanston. Personal name Eoghan.
Fleuchlarg. G. fliuch, wet; lairig, a pass, or, learg, a slope.
Gapsmill. Gaupsmill (6 in. map).
Gillygappock. 1807 (VR). Gilly-gapus, a fool, booby (Ja).
Gilmourston. Gilmerstoun 1660 (Bl). Personal name Gilmour, from G. Gille Moire, Mary’s servant. Gilmor Duffe is mentioned as a holder of land (husbandus) in 1315 (RGS).
Girharrow. Garharrow 1563. First syllable doubtful, the rest is G. arbha, of the corn.
Glencairn. Glencarn 1220 (Mel. Ch.); Glenkarne 1315; Glencardine in a roll of David II. This last suggests that the second part is W. cardden, a thicket. (Trans. 1923).
Glencrosh. Glencroische 1545; Glencrosche 1577 (Sh. Bk.); Glencros 1591 (RGS); Glenkroish 1660 (Bl). G. gleann chroisg, glen of the crossing (CPN).
Glenjaan. Glen-jaine 1511 (RGS); Glenjawin 1548; Glen-jane 1579 (Sh. Bk.); Glenjan 1660 (Bl). Looks like G. gleann deamhan, demon’s glen. (Prof. Watson.)
Glenlach. G. gleann lacha, glen of the wild duck. Glenluiart. G. gleann luchairte, glen of the castle. Glenriddell.
Glenskelly. G. gleann sgealaighe, glen of the teller of tales or romances (CPN).
Glenwhisk. G. gleann uisge, glen of the water.
Greengair. Gair, a patch of green on a hillside (SDD). Hastings Hall.
House of Joseph. (A hill.)
Ingleston. Englishtoun 1660 (Bl). Personal name Inglis, or, “The Englishman’s farm.”
Jarbruck. Jarburch 1398; Jarbarghe 1483 (RGS); Ger-broucht 1506 (RGS); Jargburgh 1514 (Sh. Bk.); Gir-bruch 1580 (Sh. Bk.); Larburgh 1660 (Bl); Jerburgh p481828. The first part is possibly a personal name; O.E. beorg, a hill.
Jerkney Burn.
Killniess. G. coille, the wood; an easa, of the waterfall.
Kirkcudbright Hill. Kirkcubre 1511 (RGS); Kirkowbrik 1660 (Bl). O.E. circ Cuthbert, Cuthbert’s church (HM). Knockauchley. Knokachle 1660 (Bl). Either G. cnoc, the hill, achlaidh, of the fishery, or, cnoc na cachaleithe, hill of the gate.
Knockausten.
Knockchouk. Possibly G. cnoc tiugh, thick hill.
Knockmarlin. Knokynmerlach 1320 (RGS). G. cncc nam meirleach, thieves’ hill.
Knockstrony. G. cnoc srdnach, peaked or pointed hill.
The Knypes. O.E. cnaepp, summit of a hill, a short, sharp ascent.
Kumasi Wood.
Lagdubh Hill. G. lag dubh, black hollow.
Lennocks Hill. G. leamhnach, place of the elm tree.
Loch Urr. Urre 1296 (RR); Lochquhir 1511 (RGS); Loch-our 1563. The English River Ure is from Br. Isura (ERN). Urr might be from the same.
Martour. (V.R. 1807.)
Marwhirn. Marquhryne 1546 (Sh. Bk.); Marquhirne 1549 (RGS); Marquhyrne 1567 (Sh. Bk.); Marquharne 1580 (Sh. Bk.); Marwhurn 1660 (Bl). G. marg, a mark, as a measurement of land; chaorruinn, of the rowan.
Maxwellton. Personal name Maccus and O.E. wielle, a spring.
Minnygryle. Mynnisgrill 1511 (RGS); Mynniesgeill 1549 (RGS). G. moine, a mossy place, or W. mynydd, a hill.
Moatland. O.E. mot, a meeting place. As meetings were usually held at a mound the name came to be applied to any earthen mound.
Moniaive. Minnyhive 1828. G. moine, a mossy place; the last syllable might be G. shaimhe, of stillness.
Morton Hill. Mortoun Hill 1660 (Bl). O.E. mor, waste p49land, used more of swampy land than the modern word moor; tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Motty’s Burn.
The Mull. G. maol, a bare hill, or, the brow of a hill.
Mulwhanny. Might be G. maoil chanaigh, hill of the cotton grass. (Prof. Watson.)
Neiss. Neyse 1506 (RGS); Neis 1508 (Sh. Bk.); Meiss 1519; The Nise 1660 (Bl). O.E. naess, or, M.E. nese, a headland.
Peelton. Old French pel, used in English of a palisade of stakes, a stockaded enclosure (EPN Yorks. N.R. p. 193). O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Playwanton. (A hill.)
Poundland. Pandland 1557 (Q). A measurement of land, see Note 1.
Powrane. 1549 (RGS). G. poll raithne, bracken stream.
Sclenders Hill. The face of a hill covered with loose stones (SDD).
Shancastle. Shancastel 1660 (Bl). G. sean chaisteal, old castle.
Shancastle Doon. See above. O.E. dun, a hill.
Shankfoot. O.E. sceanga, the projecting point of a hill joining it to the plain.
Shieldykes. M.E. schele, a small hut. O.E. die, a dyke.
Shillingland. A measurement of land, see note 1.
Snabhead Wood. Snab, the projecting point of a hill; a steep ascent.
Snade. Snathe 1320 (RGS); Snache 1325 (RGS); Snaid 1505 (RSS) . G. snathaid, a needle (CPN).
Straith. Strath 1320 (RGS); Straid 1582 (Sh. Bk.). G. srath, a valley.
Stranshalloch. Stronschillaucht 1498; Stronschilloch 1547; Stronshelach 1660 (Bl). G. sron, the point; seallach, of the spectator, or, sron nan seileach, point of the willows.
Stronchreggan. 1660 (Bl). G. sron, the point; chreagain, of the little crag.
Tererran. Terrarane 1506; Trorarane 1511 (RGS); Trewre-rane 1512; Torrerie 1577 (Sh. Bk.); Terrarren 1580; Tarrans 1660 (Bl).
Two Merkland. A measurement of land, see Note 1. Waulkmill. N. valka, to full or dress cloth.
GRETNA
Aldermanseat. Aldermannissait 1610 (RGS). O.E. ealderman saete, the aiderman’s house.
Anthony’s Holm.
Barrow’s Slack.
Baurch. Berghe 1514 (CBP); The Barche 1584 (CBP); Berch 1660 (Bl). O.E. beorg, a small hill.
Blaat. Blawad 1190 Q; Blawath 1200 (Mel. Ch.); Blayt 1543 (Arms); Blawitwood 1544 (Arms); Blawat 1573 (A); Blaat Wood 1660 (Bl). N. blar, dark, blue, cold; vath, a ford.
Burelrone. 1573 (A); Byrelton 1624. Personal name Buril or Burrel; rone, a tangle of brushwood, thorns, etc. (SDD).
Claw Bear. (Field near Aitchison’s Bank).
Clerkston. The clerk’s or priest’s tun or farm.
Clochmaben Stone. G. cloch, a stone. Clochmabane means Mabon’s stone; Scots “stane” translates G. cloch, and that again is probably for an earlier W. clog, rock. Mabon represents early Celtic maponos, a boy; Apollo Maponos was the sun-god of the British Celts (CPN). In 1398 a meeting was agreed between the Wardens of the Marches at Clochmabanestane and afterwards it was the regular meeting place for business connected with the March. It was the scene of the battle of the Sark when the Scots defeated the English on October 23rd, 1449.
Cowgarth. N. kua garthr, cow, enclosure.
Cowholm. Cowholme 1610 (RGS). N. kua, a cow.
Douglas. Formerly Gretnahill. Greitnohyll 1573 (A). The farm was owned by Col. Christopher Maxwell who p51married Miss Sarah Douglas about 1800. He changed the name from Gretnahill to Douglas. (W. F. Graham of Mossknowe).
Floshend M.E. flasshe or flosshe, a marshy place; O.E. ende, end, but also a village or district.
Gretna. Gretenho 1223 (REG); Gretenhou 1223 (REG); Gretenhowe 1376 (RM); Gretnocht 1511 (A); Gretno 1521 (A); Gritnocht 1541 (Q); Greitno 1573 (A); Greatney 15 83 (CBP); Graitnaye 15 83; Graitna 1660 (Bl). O.E. greot, gravel; hoh, a promontory.
Hieleyis. 1610 (RGS). (Always coupled with Cowholm). O.E. heah, high; leah, a forest clearing.
Milligan’s Bush. Buss 1633 (RGS). Personal name. Buss in old Scots meant a wood consisting of oak and birch (CPN). The name appears in Macrath ap Molegan 1291 (RR).
Newton. Natoun de la Mure 1502 (RGS).
Plump. Plompe 1552 (A). North country word meaning a clump of trees (S).
Redkirkpoint. Ryidkirk 1660 (Bl); Hiedkirkpoint (Stat. Act). Redkirk was united to Gretna in 1609.
Renpatrick. Rainpatrick, Raynpatrick 1200 (Mel. Ch.); Rempatric 1223 (REG); Roynpatrick 1305 (Q); Rane-patrik 1507 (RGS); Renpatrick 1581 (A). G. rinn, a point, headland (CPN).
Rigg. O.E. hrycg, a ridge.
Samuel Corner. (Field at Aldermanseat).
Sark River. Saxok 1660 (Bl). Probably an old British name.
Solway. Sulewad 1218; Sulewath 1249; Sulway 1300; Sulzaway 1503 (RSS); Booness Wath (Stat. Act). N. sol, sul, mud; vath, a ford.
Style. O.E. steall, a place, cattle-stall.
Surone. Syronthwat 1489 (A); Souron 1660 (Bl). Personal name Sigrunar; N. thveit, a forest clearing.
Torduff. Dordoff 1291 (RR); Torduff 1305 (Q); Tordeth p521500 (Arms); Tordofe 1540 (Arms); Tornduff 1660 (Bl). G. torr, a hill; dubh, black.
West Scales. Scrailes, Scallis 1543 (Arms); Schelis 1550 (RGS); Skalis 1561 (RGS); Skells 1660 (Bl). N. skali, a hut; the form Schelis is M.E. schele, a hut.
HALF-MORTON
Allowbrae. (Field at Stoneylea).
Auchinbetrig. 1596 (CBP); Aughenbedrigg 1597 (GBP); Auchenbedrig 1610 (RGS). G. achadh na, the field of. Site lost but supposed to be now Solway Bank, a feu-duty is still paid on “The lands of Auchenbedrig.”
Auchengyle. Auchingavil 1573 (A); Auchengeil 1660 (Bl). G. achadh na gaibhle, field of the fork.
Berclees. Berkleis 1610 (RGS); Barkley 1611 (RGS); Bar-cleis 1582 (Sh. Bk); Barcloss 1828. Personal name Beric and O.E. leah, a forest clearing.
Billister Syke G. bilisteir, a mean, beggarly fellow.
Bogra. Bewgray 1610 (RGS); Bowgra 1621 (RGS); Bougray 1633 (RGS). G. bograch, a boggy place.
Cadgill. Catgill 1592 (CBP). N. kattr gil, wild cat’s glen, Campingholm. Place where the Scots army camped on the night before the battle of Solway Moss in 1543.
Chartourisbirren. 1610 (RGS); Chatterusbirren 1621 (RGS); Charterusbirren 1633 (RGS); Alias Barclays (Springkell Paper). Personal name and O.E. burgaens, a burial place, and then any heap of loose stones.
The Deer Croft. (Field at Chapel of Logan).
The Dod. (Field at Auchengyle). Dod, a bare hill.
Fairholmflattis. 1610 (RGS). N. faran, to go, hence a passage. M.E. flat, a level piece of ground, one of the larger portions into which the common field was divided (EPN). Name lost, but from context near Raeburnfoot.
Far Pattens. (Field at Waughslee).
Faugh Field. (Corrie’s Mill). Faugh, fallow, connected with O.E. fag, variegated, stained.
Firth & Fosteris Croft. 1633 (RGS); Forresters Croft 1698 (Act of Scots Pari.). O.E. fyrhth, wooded country. Name lost but from context near Southwoodhead.
Flowdens. Floddens 1828. Flodden, flooded. O.E. flode, literally a channel of water. Flow N. floe, a watery moss (Ja).
Greenwrae. Grenewraa 1610 (RGS); Greinwrae 1621 (RGS). N. grene, green; vra, a tongue of land, good land wedged in between useless land (S).
Half Morton. Morton was in the list of parishes in 1586, but was suppressed and annexed' to Canonbie and Wauchope in the beginning of the 17th cent. A chapel was built in the parish of Wauchope in 1703, at which time the parishes of Wauchope and Staple-Gorton were united into the parish of Langholm. ’ After the erection of Langholm into a parish, Half-Morton continued to be supplied by the minister of Langholm every 4th Sunday till 1825, when the chapel got into disrepair. It was disjointed from Langholm in 1835, and erected into a parish in 1839 under the name of Half-Morton (Stat. Act and Fasti Ecclesiae). The chapel stood in the stackyard opposite to Chapel of Logan farm.
Walter, the minister of Morton, swore fealty to Edward I. in 1296 (Arms).
High Stenries. Stanrise 1610 (RGS); Stanereis 1611 (RM); Stanreis 1621 (RGS); Stanneries 1627 (RGS). N. steinn hreysi, stone cairn.
Holstead Brae. (Flowdens). O.E. hoi, a hollow; stede, a site, place.
Joas Moss. (Corrie’s Mill).
Kirkriggis. 1621 (RGS); Kilriggis 1633 (RGS). Self explanatory.
The Linton. (Field at Berclees). O.E. lin tun, flax enclosure.
Logan. Capella de Logan 1223 (REG). G. lagan, a hollow. Lorn’s Gill. (Dykeside). Personal name
Manthewsteads. 1698 (Act of Scots Pari.). Name lost.
Numbellie. 1610 (RGS); Nymbellie 1621 (RGS). G. baile, a house. Name lost, but apparently somewhere near Berclees.
Patensman. (Field at Berclees).
Peelwalls. Peel is from old French pel—and was used in England of a palisade of stakes, a stockaded enclosure (EPN Yorks, N.R.).
Piper’s Flush. (Field at Wattaman). M.E. flasshe, flosshe, a marshy place.
Sarkcrewkis. 1610 (RGS). For Sark see Gretna.
Shanny Knowe. (Chapel of Logan). Possibly part translation of G. cnoc an t-sionnaigh, fox’s hill.
Smallholm. Smailholme 1633 (RGS). O.E. smael, small, narrow.
Southwoode. 1633 (RGS). Self explanatory.
Staffler. O.E. staefer, a stake or pillar used as a landmark.
Stubbieknowe. M.E. stubbing, a clearing of land. (EPN).
Thortour Burn. Thortour, cross, transverse; from N. th vert, across.
Timpan. G. tiompan, a rounded hump.
Timpanheck. Timpenbeksyde 1610 (RGS); Timpeinbrek-syid 1621 (RGS); Thymponbecksyde 1633 (RGS). G. tiompan, a rounded hump. N. bekkr, a stream.
Wattaman ‘The ½ mercatum de Watt lie manis-houssteidis” 1610 (RGS). “The ½ merkland of Watt’s Man.” Wotte was an old English personal name.
Whatfaugh. (Field at Corrie’s Mill). O.E. hwaete, wheat; faugh, fallow, connected with O.E. fag, variegated, stained.
HODDAM
Awielayis. 1612 (RGS); Aweleyis 1625 (RGS); Abbewis 1633 (RGS); Abbeyleyis 1641 (RET).
Axletree well.
Barr Hill. G. barr, a hill-top.
Birrenswark. Burniswerkhill 1541 (Q); Burniswarkleyis 1625 (RGS). Personal name Brun and O.E. weorc, fort, p55defensive work. In 936 Aethelstan drove the Norse back over the Solway and defeated them at the fort of Brun, Brunanburh as it was called in Saxon; Brunes-werce, so called by Gaimer, who identifies Birrenswark as the scene of the fight. The name would be Brunsvirki in Norse. (Trans. 1919).
Broatchhead Gill. N. brotti, a heap of trees felled in a wood, and so a clearing in a wood.
Buckie Bank. Buckie, the fruit of the wild rose (SDD).
Bush. Bushe 1543 (Arms). Bush or buss, in old Scots meant a wood consisting of oak and birch (CPN).
Butcherbeck Burn. Botchardbech 1329 (Q); Beucherbek 1539 (RGS). Personal name Bochard and N. bekkr, a stream.
Clint Hill. Clynt 1612 (RGS); Clynthill 1660 (Bl). N. klint, the brow of a hill, a promontory.
The Closcroft. 1480 (Q). O.E. croft, an enclosure, in the north adjacency to a house is usually understood (EPN).
The Cotcroft. 1480 (Q). O.E. cot, a cottage; for croft see above.
Cowthat. Cowthait 1612 (RGS). N. kua thveit, cow field, literally forest clearing.
Craiglands. Craigislandis 1612 (RGS).
Crookedmoore. 1544 (Arms). O.E. mor, waste land, used more of swampy ground than the modern word moor.
The Dwncroft. 1480 (Q). O.E. dun, a hill. For croft see Closcroft, ante.
Ecclefechan. Eggleffyan 1296 (RR); Egilfichan 1425; Egilfechane i486 (Q); Haglefleigham 1544 (Arms); Eglefecheaine 1612 (RGS); Egleschechaine 1625 (RGS); Eggilfechi 1660 (Bl). G. eaglais, a church. The second part is supposed to be the name of St. Fechin, but it may be W. fechan, little (CPN). St. Fechin was Abbot of Fobhar, West Meath, in the time of Kentigern; he died 665 or 668. (Prof. Watson.)
The Gildus Ford. 1480 (O). Possibly N. gildi-hus, guildhouse.
Gimmenbie. Gimonbie 1478 (Q); Gynmonbie 1625 (RGS); Gimmunbie 1625 (RGS). Personal name Geirmund; N. by, a farm.
The Haggs. N. hagg, a cutting, a right of cutting trees.
Hallguards. O.E. healh, a corner angle; N. garthr, an enclosure.
Haregills. Hairgillis 1612 (RGS). O.E. har, old, grey, also used of a boundary, cf, hairstane.
Hoddam. Hodelm 1116 (REG); Hodelmo 1202 (REG); Hodholm 1255 (REG); Hodolm 1296 (RR); Hoddome, Howdoun, Hoddun, Hodholme 1544 (Arms). The first syllable may be from an O.E. hath, heath, which gave Hod—or Hoad—in place names. King Rydderch secured the return of Kentigern about 573, and met him on the Haugh of Hoddam, where a new missionary effort began. The life of St. Kentigern states that “ the holy Bishop Kentigern, building Churches in Hodelm ordaining priests and clerics, placed his see there for a certain season of time.” (Trans. 1923.)
Howdales. O.E. hoi, a hollow.
The Kil Acre. 1480 (O). G. cill, a cell or chapel; O.E. aecer, a piece of cultivated land.
Luce. Los 1316 (Q); Luse 1452 (O); Lus 1463 (O); Luce 1546 (RGS). G. lus, a plant.
Mainholm. The maynholme of Hodholme 1590 (CBP).
New Orchard. Balhorchert 1529 (RGS) ; Bellorchard 1580 (RGS); Belourchart 1622 (RGS). O.E. orceard, an orchard, but of a wider application, not being restricted to an enclosure where fruit is grown. The O.E. word again comes from W. argoed, shelter of wood (EPN). The first syllable is probably the personal name Bell.
Oulcotis. 1486 (O); Wlcottis 1500 (Q); Eule-coittus 1546 (RGS); Owlcoittis 1580 (RGS); Auldcoittis 1622 (RGS); Oldcoittis 1625 (RGS). Personal name Ulf; O.E. cot, a cottage. The site is lost, but the following extracts from Trans. 1898 show where it was—“Woolcoats compre-p57hending Burnswark.” “The 40/- land of Woolcoats . . . in the parish of Hoddam.”
Park. 1621 (RGS). O.E. pearroc, a small enclosure. Paulsland.
Relief.
Riddings. The Ryddinis 1480 (O). O.E. hryding, a patch of cleared land.
Skailwood. N. skali, a hut.
Supplebank. Souplebank 1544 (Arms), Soupilbank 1577 (A). Either connected with soople, to soak, or, soople, a part of a flail.
Swaugh Park.
Tynclar Lands. 1480 (O). Tinkler, a gipsy.
Yeskett. Yarskalls 1828. The last syllable is O.E. cot, a cottage. In the absence of any old forms the first is uncertain, but may represent some personal name.
HOLYWOOD
Athenwerran. 1220 (Mel. Ch.). Might be G. ath, the ford; a’ chaorruinn, of the rowan, but rather doubtful.
Balfreggan. G. baile, a house.
Baltarsan. Baltarsane 1580 (RGS); Baltersane 1625. G. baile tarsuinn, house of the crossing (lit. oblique), in this case a ford (CPN).
Barbuie. Barbwye 1507 (Sh. Bk.); Barboy 1589 (RGS). G. barr buidhe, yellow hill-top.
Barfreggan. G. barr, a hill-top.
Bearcroft. Le Beir Oois 1580 (RGS). O.E. bere, barley; croft, an enclosure, in the north adjacency to a house is usually understood (EPN).
Candiescroft. 1581 (RGS). Probably a personal name and O.E. croft, see above.
Canniecleuch Probably a personal name Kani.
Clachan. Clauchane 1376 (RM); Clawquhanholme 1572 (O). G. clachan, a cleric’s stone cell, often rendered into Kirkton (CPN).
Clackrie. Clachrie 1498 (RSS). G. clachrach, astoney place,.
Clauchmalloch. 1581 (RGS). G. clach, the stone; mallaichte, cursed.
Cluden Water.
Cluthefut. 1545 (Q)* Probably Cluden Foot.
Cormaddie. G. coire a’mhadaidh, wolf’s corrie.
Cowhill. Kowhill 1556; Cohill, Coohill 1570; Couhill 1660 (Bl).
Croftmaggot.
Cuddoch Wood. Cuddoch, a heifer (SDD).
Dallawoodie.
Dardryne. 1580 (RGS). G. doire, the thicket or clump of trees; draigheann, of the blackthorns.
Daworkis of Peittis. 1580 (RGS). G. dabhach, a large vat; the secondary meaning is a large measure of land. See Note 1.
Derrengoran. 1220 (Mel. Ch.). G. doire, the thicket or clump of trees; an gharain, of the underwood.
Drumjohn. Drumjowan 1660 (Bl). G. druim diomhain, idle ridge, i.e. untilled.
Dubillay. 1369 (Q); Dubelauch 1376 (RM); Dowblay 1580 (RGS); Doubbillochhillis 1580 (RGS); Doublahill 1580 (RGS). G. dubail, double.
Dundrum. G. dun, a hill-fort; druim, a ridge.
Escheholme. 1581 (RGS). Eschieholme 1612. O.E. aesc, an ash tree.
Ferdinrusche. 1593 (RGS). A measurement of land. O.E. rysc, a rush. See Note 1.
Fourmerkland. Fourmarkland 1660 (Bl). A measurement of land. See Note 1.
Gallows Hill. Self explanatory.
Glengaber. Glengabyrr 1660 (Bl). G. gleann gabhar, goats’ glen.
Glengower. Glengour 1566 (RGS). G. gleann gobhair, goats’ glen.
Gribton. Gribtoun 1660 (Bl). Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Guilyhill. Gullyhill 1581 (RGS); Gulliehill 1582 (Sh. Bk.). Gully, a channel worn by water.
Holywood. Dergungal 1220 (Mel. Ch.); Sacra Nemore 1250 (Mel. Ch.); Darcungal 1280 (Mel. Ch.); Seint Boiz 1296 (RR), Sacro Bosco 1296 (RR); Halywod 1555 (Q); Halivod 1559; Haliewode 1607; Sanct Cillie 1582 (Sh. Bk.). The Abbey and parish derive their names from a sacred grove of oaks which existed as far back as the Druids. Eleven large stones—formerly twelve—are arranged in the form of a Druidical temple; this temple gave way to a hermit’s cell. Dercongal, G. doire, a copse, clump of trees; in the 12th cent, this became the site of the Abbey of Holywood. Congal is the same as Connel.
Irongray. G. earran, the portion; graighe, of the horse stud.
Isle. He 1577 (Sh. Bk.); Yle 1660 (Bl). G. iosal, meadow land beside a stream.
Killylung. Killelong 1550 (RGS); Cullelung 1566 (RGS); Killeloung 1577 (Sh. Bk.); Culleloung 1580 (RGS). G. cuil, the nook; na long, of the ships.
Kilness. G. coille, the wood; an easa, of the waterfall.
Kilnshang. Possibly G. coill, the wood; an t-seangain, of the ant, or, nan seangan, of the ants.
Knippertoun. (V.R. 1807.)
Lincluden. Lencludan 1291 (RR); Lyncloudane 1408 (A); Linclowden 1660 (Bl). W. llyn, a pool.
Loweberry. Lewberry 1828. Personal name and O.E. beorg, a hill.
M'Whanrick.
Mairtyntoun. 1593 (RGS). Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Marglolly Burn. G. marg, merkland, a measurement of land; possibly G. loilghigh, of the milch-cow, or, Lulaigh, Lulach’s. (Prof. Watson). See Note. 1.
Milliganton. Mulygaston 1465; Muliganetoun 1577 (Sh. Bk.); Mulliganstoun 1615. Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it. There was a p60Macrath ap Molegan 1291 (RR); and Gilbert Amuligane of Tynron 1542.
Myreside. N. myrr, mire, used of swampy moorland; O.E. side, the slope of a hill.
Naperis Croft. 1581 (RGS). Personal name. O.E. croft, a small enclosure, in the north adjacency to a house is usually understood (EPN).
Newtonairds. G. ard, a height.
Old Water. G. allt, a stream. “This coincides in pronunciation with Broad Scots auld. Apparently those who advised the surveyor for the Ordnance Survey took auld to be the name and thought old was more genteel so the real significance was lost” (HM).
Pollecostertan. 1220 (Mel. Ch.); Pollechoustergan 1220* (Mel. Ch.). G. poll, a sluggish stream; the rest of the word may be G. na(n) coisdheargan, of the redshanks.. (Prof. Watson.)
Portrack. Porterrak 1580 (A); Portrack 1660 (Bl). G. port,, a harbour, or ferry; I. roc, rag, a dry chasm hollowed out by a stream. (Prof. Watson.)
Rue. G. rudha, a point.
Slaethorn Croft. O.E. slah, sloe; for croft see ante.
Speddoch. Spaiddoch 1556 (Q); Spedochs 1660 (Bl).
Le Stallage. 1376 (RM); Stellingtrie 1581 (RGS); Stellin-trie 1593 (RGS). O.E. steall, a site, place, a stell or enclosure for cattle. Stellage, the ground on which a market is held (SDD).
Stepford. Stepfuird 1612. “Where foot passengers cross the water on stepping-stones, that have been placed there-time immemorial.’’ (Stat. Act.)
Trynland Loch. G. trian, a third part.
HUTTON AND CORRIE
Balstack. G. baile, a house; stac, an isolated rock.
Barnsdale. N. personal name Beorn ; N. dalr or O.E. dael, a valley.
Bearburn. Beerburn (V.R). O.E. bere, barley.
Birscabach. The last syllable is W. bach, little.
Boothsburn. N. buth, a hut or shed. This may be the same as Polbudy 1542 (RGS); Powbudy 1572 (RGS).
Boothsfaulds. N. buth, a hut or shed. O.E. fald, a fold, but not confined, as it usually now is, to a sheepfold (EPN).
Boreland. Bordland 1555 (A). Land held on the rental of a food supply, a home farm (HM).
Breconrae. M.E. braken, bracken ; N. vra, a tongue of land* a piece of good land wedged in between useless land (S).
Capel Burn. G. capull, a horse, or G. caibeal, a chapel.
The Caple. G. caibeal, a chapel.
Carnwath. W. earn gwydd, cairn of the wood (CPN).
Carterton. Cartertoun 1578 (A). Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Carthur.
Closs. An enclosure, place fenced in.
Cocklaw Rig. O.E. hrycg, a ridge; hlaw, a hill.
Corrie. Corri 1190 (Q). G. currach, a wet plain.
Corsehill. G. crasg, a crossing over a hill.
Cowan Fell. G. cobhan, a hollow; N. flail, a hill.
Cragkemor. 1258 (REG). Br. krakio, a rock; O.E. mor, waste land, but used more of swampy land than the modern word moor.
Cumstone. Probably a personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Dormont Rig. W. dwfr, water; mynydd, a hill; O.E.. hrycg, a ridge.
Dragon’s Well. Dragon, the Marsh Mariegold.
Dungairy. G. dun, a hill, hill-fort; gairy, a name commonly applied to an elevated place, a hillside (HM). Or G. gaireal, gravel.
Dunhass G. dun, a hill, hill-fort ; hass, a pass, from N. hals.
Dunscore Hill. W. din, the fort; ysgor, of the rampart. (Prof. Watson.)
Fenton. O.E. fenn, marsh; tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Fenton Yett. O.E. geat, a gate.
Finny Gill. Gifynangyllmuth 1376 (RM). G. fionn, clear, white.
Gall. A wet unfertile spot in a field.
Gallet Knowe. A channel worn by water. A form of gullet, a throat. (HM).
Gillesbie. Gillisbye 1512 (Q); Gillisby, Gillsby 1541 (Q); Gillisbie 1560 (A). G. gille, a servant, used as a personal name and then turned into a Norse word by the addition of N. by, a farm.
Heatherwick. O.E. haeth, heath, used of wild, uncultivated land; O.E. wic, a village, farm.
Heckney Hill..
Heithat. N. hoi, a hill; thveit, a forest clearing.
Hencastle.
Le Holgil 1300 (RM). O.E. hoi, a hollow.
Hutton. Hotun 1186 (REG); Hotton sub mora 1315 (RGS); Flotoun 1355 (Q); Hutoune sub mora 1371 (RM). O.E. hoh, a mound or tumulus; tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Hutton Moat. Mote 1664. O.E. mot, a meeting place, then, since meetings were usually held on a mound, it was used of any earthen mound. “In the absence of any defences this was probably a Moot-hill for the administration of justice.” (Trans. 1927).
Kirkslight Hill. Kirkslightis 1505 (RGS). M.E. sleght is allied to N. sl’ettr, flat, a flat piece of land. In English dialect sleight means a level piece of pasture, a sheep-walk (S).
Laver Knowe. Liverknow 1664. Personal name Leofhere. (See also Laverhay, Wamphray.)
Linndub Knowe. G. linne, a pool; dub, a pool; or more probably a corruption of Lintdub, flax-pool.
Lunelly Tower. The Lun, Lund 1516 (RGS). G. Ion, a meadow; ailbheach, stoney.
Maol Knowe. G. maol, bare.
Macmaw.
Midtack Knowe. Tack, a lease or farm (SDD).
Mirren Hill. Merynhill 1504 (RGS); Meranehill 1510 (Arms); M eringhill 1540 (Arms); Marranhill 1587 (RGS). Welsh personal name Meirion (EPN).
Mosskesso. (Site of). Masskesswra 1355 (Q); Moskeswray 1515 (RSS); Messkesswaye 1543 (A); Meskeswa 1544 (Q). The last syllable is N. vra, a corner, secluded spot. The first part is probably a personal name.
Murthat. The Murquhattis 1521 (A). O.E. mor, waste land, but used more of swampy ground than the modern word moor. N. thveit, a forest clearing.
Penlaw. W. pen, a hill; O.E. hlaw, a hill. An interesting word showing how one language has been grafted on to an older one, of which the words still survived but were not understood by the later inhabitants.
Pikestone Hill. O.E. pic, a pointed hill. Pike, a cairn of slones on the highest point of a hill (SDD).
Pyatshaws. Pietschawis 1504 (RGS); Piotschawis 1516 (RGS). Pyat, a magpie; O.E. sceaga, a small wood.
Rangecastle Hill.
Rue Gill. G. ruadh, red.
Scroggybank Wood. Scroggy, abounding in stunted bushes and undergrowth (SDD).
Shankend. O.E. sceanga, the projecting end of a hill joining it to the plain.
Shaws. O.E. sceaga, a small wood.
Shielingair Knowe. “By every corn mill, a knoll top, on which the kernels were winnowed from the husks, was designated the sheeling hill” (Jamieson). N. garthr, an enclosure.
Snabbie’s Sware. Snabbie means a chaffinch, but more probably this is a form of snab, the projecting part of a hill. O.E. sweora, a neck, col.
Stidrigs. Studeriggis 1507 (RGS). O.E. stede, a place, site; hrycg, a ridge.
Stobahill. Stobohill (V.R.) G. stobach, full of stobs or stakes.
Three Mullach Hill. Three Brithers Hill 1660 (Bl). G. mullach, a hill.
Warlock Knowe. Warlock, a wizard.
Watchy Hass. Hass, a neck, pass, from N. hals.
Witchshaw Rig. O.E. wice, a wych-elm; sceaga, a small wood; hrycg, a ridge.
Wynholm. Wynquhame 1504 (RGS); Wyngame 1540 (Arms). Might be a personal name, or, win, wyn, to dry corn, etc., by exposing it to the air (Ja).
JOHNSTONE
Archwood. Eyrswood 1544 (RGS); Erswood 1562 (RGS). “The Irishman’s wood.’’
Auchendinning. G. achadh,the field; na diinain, of the small fort.
Auchenevin. G. achadh, the field; na h-abhann, of the river, “River-field.’’
Aucheny Sike. G. achadh, the field; n’ eanaigh, of the marsh.
Bargainbush.
Barnsaught.
Beastock Ridge. G. biastag, an insect, used as a term of contempt.
Blenoch Burn. W. blaen, a head.
Brunthass Burn. O.E. baernet, burning, and then a piece of land cleared by burning; N. hals, a neck, pass.
Clinty Pool. N. klint, a promontory, the brow of a hill.
Cogrieburn. G. coigrigh, the stranger’s, foreigner’s.
Corsua. W. cors, a bog.
Crumzierton. Cronyantona 1315 (RGS); Counyantoun 1320 (RGS); Crunyhatoun 1376 (RM); Cronyantoun 1427; Cranzantoun 1582.
Duff Kinnel Water. G. dubh, black. See Kirkpatrick-Juxta.
Elffarn Knowe.
Esknokis. 1376 (RM). Most likely from N. eski, grown over with ash trees; G. cnoc, a hill.
Floshland Burn. M.E. flasshe, flosshe, a marshy place.
Foggieholm. Mossy holm.
Gallows Hill. Self explanatory.
Gillen Moor. Personal name.
Greigsland. Personal name.
Habshield Pool. Personal name and M.E. schele, a hut.
Hellshole Moss. Self explanatory.
Hopsrig. O.E. hop, a hollow among the hills; hrycg, a ridge.
Horseman’s Spout. M.E. sput, a spout, waterfall.
Johnstone. Jonistune 1194 (Q); Joneston 1218 (Q); Jones-toun 1291 (RR); Jonystoun 1374 (Q)- Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Kerse-Kersemuir. Kerse 1544 (RGS). N. kaer, a marsh, used of low alluvial ground by a fiver.
Kinnel Water. See Kirkpatrick-Juxta.
Kirkbank Swash Swash, a rush of water (SDD).
Lochwood. Loichwood 1519 (A); Lokat 1568 (BM); Lough-wood 1592 (CBP). Self explanatory.
Lorch Hill.
Mackerel Sike. Probably personal name MacCairell.
Martinwhat. Personal name and N. thveit, a forest clearing.
Minnygap. Mungep 1315 (RGS); Munygip 1320 (RGS); Moneygep 1427 (RGS). G. monadh, hill ground.
Moat. O.E. mot, a meeting place. As this was usually at some mound the name has come to be applied to any earthen mound.
Mollin. Moylyn Rahill 1329 (RM); Molyn 1363 (RM); Molyne 1376 (RM); Molinne 1427 (A); Moling 1573 (A); Molene Raahill 1583 (A). G. muileann, a mill.
Moneypock Pool. Pock, a bag (SDD).
Mote Hill. See Moat, ante.
Ogle Linn. W. uchel, high, llyn, a pool.
Orchard. O.E. orceard, an orchard, but of a wider application not being confined to an enclosure where fruit is p66grown. The O.E. word is derived from W. argoed, shelter of wood (EPN).
Panlands.
Polecat Clump. Self explanatory.
Raehills. Rahill 1360 (RGS); Rahillis 1427 (A); Raahill 1583 (A). O.E. ra, a roe deer.
Skemrighead. Rather doubtful but might be from “skime,” to gleam with reflected light (SDD).
Wallace’s Loup.
Wolfgillis. 1583 (A). May be the personal name Ulf or refer to the animal.
KEIR
Auchenage. Auchinach 1450 (Q). G. achadh, the field.
Barjarg. Barchar 1360 (RGS); Barjarg 1522 (Q) > Bagarge 1578 (Sh. Bk.); Parkjarg 1582 (RGS); Parkiarg 1605 (Q); Barjarg 1660 (Bl). G. barr dearg, the red hill-top.
Barndennoch. Barndawnach 1471; Bardonach 1660 (Bl). Possibly G. barr na dtamhnach, the hill of the green, or arable, spots among the heather. (Prof. Watson.)
Barscotland. 1523 (Q). (Adjoined Blackwood). G. barr, a hill-top; Scotland, probably taxed land.
Beuchan. Glenabeukan 1315 (RGS); Beochane 1566; Beoqu-hane 1612. G. gleann na beitheachan, glen of the little birch wood.
Blackchub.
Bogrough. G. bograigh, a boggy place.
Bourtree Hill. O.E. burtree, an elder tree.
Breccoes. G. breacach, a dappled place (CPN).
Bringer Hill. N. bringa, a slope.
Capenoch. Capinache 1483 (A); ? Glenquopenotht 1593 (Q). G. ceapanach, place of the tillage plots or tree stumps (CPN).
Gausewaygate. (Franco-Eng.) causey, a beaten path; N. gata, a road.
Courthill. Le Courthill 1494 (RGS). Adjoining it is Gallows Knowe.
Drumorabin.
Fadden Burn. Possibly part translation of G. allt Phaidin, Paddy’s burn.
Fardingjames. Fardyne James 1522 (Q)> Baiargi Fordiniames 1522 (Q); Ferding James 1605 (Q). James’ farthing land. See Note I.
Garroch Burn. G. gairbheach, place of roughness (CPN).
Gillespie Knowe. G. gille easbuig, the bishop’s servant, used as a personal name.
Glenlaugh. G. gleann laogh, the calves’ glen.
Glenmidge.
Holynbush. O.E. holegn, holly. Bush, in old Scots, meant a wood consisting of oak and birch (CPN).
Keir. Kere 1498 (Sh. Bk.); Keyr 1522 (Q); Keyr 1660 (Bl). W. caer, a fort.
Kirkbride. Brydeburgh 1320 (RGS); Kirkbridis 1522 (Q). “St. Brigid’s Church.”
Loch Wharre. Perhaps G. loch corraiche, loch of the bog.
Moor Mullach. Murmulzeane 1512; Murmullich, 1512; Murmullocht 1579 (Sh. Bk.). G. mur, the wall, or, fortified place; mullaich, of the height.
Penfillan. Penphillane 1538 (Sh. Bk.); Pemphillane 1582 (RGS); Penfillane 1630. W. pen, a head; G. Faolan, a little wolf, or used as a personal name.
Penmarte. 1498 (Sh. Bk.); Penmortie 1582 (RGS). W. pen, a head; G. martach, the place of cows, abounding in cows.
Rhoneston. Ronanestoun 1522 (O). Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Shillen Hill. “By every corn mill, a knoll top, on which the kernels were winnowed from the husks, was designated the sheeling hill” (Jamieson).
Stanumlane.
Steilhead. O.E. steall, a site, place, cattle stall.
Stroan. G. sron, a headland.
Torr Loch and Knowe. G. torr, a rounded hill, a mound, a grave.
Wauk Mill. N. valka, to full or dress cloth.
KIRKCONNEL
Allan’s Yet. O.E. geat, a gate.
Auchengeath. G. achadh, the field; na gaoithe, of the wind.
Auchengour Knowe. G. achadh, the field; nan gobhar, of the goats.
Auchenmaen Burn. G. achadh, the field; possibly nam meann, of the kids.
Auchenrath. G. achadh, the field; na ratha, of the circular fort.
Auchensaugh. G. achadh, the field; nan saileach, of the willows.
Bartenonade. 1320 (RGS). G. barr, a hill-top; the rest may be connected with G. teine, fire.
Blackgannoch. G. gainmheach, a sandy place.
Brandy Burn. G. brandubh, raven-black (CPN).
Brocklaw. O.E. brocc, a badger; hlaw, a hill.
Bught Gutter. Bright, a sheep or cattle fold; gutter, mud, a pool of water (SDD).
Butt Hill. A hill ploughed all round, but with a centre portion unploughed; a small piece of land disjoined from adjacent land (SDD).
Carcarse. W. caer, a fort; cors, a bog.
Carco. Carco 15 5 8 (RGS); Carco 15 7 4 (Q); Cairco 1660 (Bl). Perhaps W. caer, a fort; cau, a hollow.
Carlin Burn. Carlin, an old woman.
Clacklui Knowe. Either G. clach fhliuch, wet stone, or, clach laoigh, calf’s stone.
Clachmullan Burn. G. clach mhuilinn, a millstone.
Cocker Hill.
Corsebank. Corsbanck 1660 (Bl). “Corse is a derivative of the common British word for reed, bog, found in W. p69cors, a bog (ERN). The name would mean “bank where reeds grow.”
Crockroy. G. cruach ruadh, red hill.
Cruereach Hill.
Cruffel. Craufall 1540 (Arms); Cruffell 1588 (RGS). See Note 2.
Deil’s Barn Door.
Ducking Craig.
Eller Scar. O.E. alor, alder; N. sker, a cliff.
Fingland Lane. G. finn glend, white glen, fair glen (CPN). Lane, a stream of which the motion is so slow as to be scarcely perceptible; the hollow course of a large rivulet in meadowland (HM).
Friarminnan.
Ganail Craig. G. ganail, a rail, fold.
Gareland Burn. Gherglen 1660 (Bl). G. gearr ghleann, short glen.
Glasmorin. W. glais, a stream; the second part may be a personal name.
Gled Wood. O.E. glida, a kite.
Glenaners Burn. G. gleann aonar, solitary glen.
Glenflosh. M.E. flosshe, a pool, marshy place.
Glengaber. G. gleann gabar, goats’ glen.
Glengap Burn. Glengeppe 1320 (RGS).
Glenmucklock—Dempster’s Glenmucklock—Glenmucklock Crichton’s. Glenmuklochis 1558 (RGS); Glen-mucklach 1660 (Bl). G. gleann muclach, glen of the piggeries. The other forms have personal names attached. For note on Dempster see Dunscore.
Glenwharrie. Glenquhorre 1541 (RGS). G. gleann chorraich, glen of the bog.
Glenwhinnie. G. gleann chuinnidh, the champion’s glen.
Green Brian. N. brynn (plur. of brun), the abrupt edge of a precipice (S).
Guffockland—Glenguffock. Guffokland 1558 (RGS). Personal name.
Haunted Linn and Deil’s Stone.
Hog Dod. Dodd, a bare round hill (SDD).
Howcon Burn.
Kello Water. Cullow 1660 (Bl).
Kirkconnel. Church of St. Conval.
Knockenjig. Knokingeig 1558 (RGS).
Knockinstath. 1660 (Bl). G. cnocan, the little hill; I. stath, a tuft of grass.
Knockenstob. G. cnoc na stob, hill of the stumps.
Lagrae. G. lag, a hollow; reidh, smooth.
Largbrae Hill. G. learg, a slope; braigh, the upper part.
Lethans Hill. Lefane Loane 1541 (RGS). W. lleitho, to moisten.
Librymoor. Luber 1320 (RGS); Lobri 1320 (RGS); Libra 15 7 4 (Q); Lubere 15 81 (RGS); Libbry 1660 (Bl). Possibly O.E. hleo, shelter; burg, a fortified place.
Lide Burn. O.E. hlyde, loud. Hlyde is a native English word (ERN).
M‘Crierick’s Cairn.
Meikle Knypes. N. mikil, large; O.E. cnaepp, summit of a hill, a short sharp ascent (EPN).
Mynwhirr Hill. G. monadh, a hill; G. cuirre, of the pit.
Palbower. Pobowyr 1660 (Bl). G. poll, a sluggish stream; I. bodhar, always used with reference to absence of sound, stillness (CPN).
Penachrig Burn. W. pen, a hill.
Penfran Burn. W. pen y fran, hill of the raven.
Pennyland. A measurement of land. See Note 1.
Piper’s Tree.
Pitechiat Burn.
Polbroc. G. poll broc, badger stream.
Polbuie. G. poll buidhe, yellow stream.
Polcraigte Burn. G. poll creagach, rocky stream.
Polholm Burn. G. poll, sluggish stream; N. holmr, q.v.
Polhote Burn.
Polmarlach Burn. G. poll mearlach, the thieves’ stream.
Polmeur Burn. G. poll, a sluggish stream; meur, a branch of a river.
Polnagrie. G. poll na graighe, stream of the horse stud, i.e., where horses were grazed.
Polneul. G. poll Neill, Neil’s stream. (Prof. Watson).
Polshag. G. poll seabhaig, hawk’s stream.
Polstacher Burn.
Poltarn Rig.
Polthistly Burn.
Polveoch Burn. May have been originally G. (aig a*) pholl bheitheach, at the birchen pool or stream. (Prof. Watson.)
Reave Bern. Reave, a robber, also used as a verb, to rave or roam (SDD).
Schlenders Wood. Probably a corruption of “Sclenders, ” the face of a hill covered with small loose stones (SDD).
Shiel Burn. M.E. schele, a small hut.
Slochan. 1315 (RGS); Aslochan 1320 (RGS). G. slocan, a little gulley.
Spango. Spangock 1660 (Bl). Possibly G. spangach, shining.
Spoth—Spothfore Burn. Spotth 1660 (Bl.)
Stank Burn. G. stang, a pool.
Stell Sike. O.E. steall, a site, place, cattle-stall.
Stoodfold Burn. O.E. stodfald, stud enclosure (EPN).
Straw Mote. O.E. mot, a meeting place, and, since meetings were usually held at a mound, the name came to be applied to any earthen mound.
Thort Rig. Cross, transverse; O.E. hrycg, a ridge.
Tod Grain. Tod, a fox, literally a bunch of wool, from N. toddi, a mass of wool (HM). N. grein, a fork, a small valley opening out of a larger.
Vennel. An alley, a narrow lane (SDD).
Warretoyconwade. 1320 (RGS).
White Naze. O.E. naes, a nose, cape.
KIRKMAHOE
Auchenbeaty Burn.
Auchencairn. Awchincarne, Auchincarne 1581. (Sh. Bk.); Achincairn 1660 (Bl). G. achadh, the field; an chairn, of the cairn.
Auchengeith. G. achadh, the field; na gaoithe, of the wind. Auchenrath. G. achadh, the field; na ratha, of the circular fort.
Bents. O.E. beonet, long, coarse grass.
Birse Brae. G. bras, rash, impetuous.
Brandy Burn. G. brandubh, raven-black (CPN).
Butter Hole. Butter, a bittern.
Carnsalloch. Garsalauch 1250 (Mel. Ch.); Garnsallach 142 6 (RGS); Carnsalloche 15 2 2 (Q); Carnsaloo 1540 (Arms); Carnesalloicht 1563 (Arms); Carnsolocht 1578 (A); Carnsallach 1660 (Bl). G. gar, the thicket; nan saileach, of the willows.
Carrick Rig. W. carreg, a crag; O.E. hrycg, a ridge.
Carzield. Kerezield 1567; Kerrezell 1577; Keirizield 1580; Kerrizield 1582 (Sh. Bk); Carrezield 1582 (Sh. Bk.); Carzele, Carezeill 1584; Carryill 1660 (Bl). Perhaps G. cathair ghil, at white fort.
Clochrie Moss. G. cloichreach, a stoney place.
Clonfeecle. Clonfeckle (V.R.). G. cluain fiacla, tooth meadow.
Cocklet Hill.
Cullyveat. G. coille, the wood; bheithe, of the birch.
Dalswinton. Dalsinton 1249 (Mel. Ch.); Swenton 1291 (RR); Baleswyntoun 1295 (Q); Dalswinton 1355 (O); Dalsyndone 1360; Swyntoun 1389 (Q); Dawsynton 1563 (Arms); Dalswontoun 1577 (Sh. Bk.); Dalsontoun 1577 (Sh. Bk.); Dalswintoun, Dalsuntoun 1660 (Bl). G. dail, a meadow; O.E. swin tun, swine farm. Dr Sedgefield derives names beginning in swin- from the personal name Sveinn or Swjthun.
Deadman s Hole.
Douganstyle. Personal name and O.E. steall, a site, place.
Duncow. Duncol 1250 (Mel. Ch.); Dumcoil 1320 (RGS); Drumcoil 1476 (Q); Drumkow 1481 (Q); Dynkow 1563 (Arms); Duncow 1660 (Bl). G. dun choll, fort of the hazels (CPN).
Eller Bog. O.E. alor, alder.
Ellerslie. O.E. alor, alder, leah, a forest clearing.
Foregirth. Fargarth 1507; Fairgarth 1509 (RGS); Fairgirth 1582 (Sh. Bk.). N. foer garthr, sheep enclosure.
Gelloch Knowe.
Gledenholm. Glendinholme 1581 (Sh. Bk.); Gladenholm (V.R.).
Glencarrick. W. glyn carreg, glen of the crag.
Glenmaid. Glenmaid 1573 (Q). G. gleann maide, glen of the wood, timber.
Goukstane Burn. Gukston, a contemptuous expression (Ja).
Guillyburn.
Hard Hill. O.E. heord, a flock.
Harley Rig. O.E. har, boundary; leah, a forest clearing.
Kemmyshall. Personal name Cemmi, and O.E. healh, a corner, recess, secret place.
Kerricks. G. carraig, or W. carreg, a crag.
Kilblane. The Church of St. Blaan 1159 (K.Ch.); Kilblein 1660 (Bl). G. cill, a church. Blaan was Bishop of Kingarth in Bute. Dunblane is said to have been his chief monastery. He lived at the end of the 6th cent. (CPN).
Kirkmahoe. Kirkemaho 1251 (Mel. Ch.); Kirkmahook 1428 (REG); Kirkmocho 1430 (REG); Kirkmahoo 1522 (Q); Kyrmahewe 1563 (Arms); Kirkmacho, K. Maho 1660 (Bl). “There is a Kilmahoe in Kintyre of which the Gaelic form, Cill-Mo-Chotha, is extant. This indicates that the name of the saint was Mochoe. There are eight saints of that name, and the earliest on record is Mochoe of Oendruim, who died in 496. Oendruim is an island in Strangford Lough now called Magee Island” p74(CPN). According to Fasti Ecclesiae the church was dedicated to St. Quentin.
Knowe Buckle. Perhaps G. buachaill, a herdsman or standing stone.
Lanark Hall. Linarklat 1660 (Bl). W. llanerch, a clear space, a glade (CPN).
Mullach. G. mullach, a hill. See Note 2.
Nether Garrel. G. gaireal, gravel, a quarry.
Pennyland Burn. A measurement of land. See Note 1.
Pyot Craig. Pyot, having large white spots, piebald (SDD).
Quarrel wood. Quherrewod 1579 (Sh. Bk.); Quarrelwod 1579 (Sh. Bk.); Quarrel Wood 1660 (Bl). Quarrel, a stone quarry (SDD).
Relic Hill. Relichillis 1624 (RGS). I. reilig, a cemetery. (CPN).
Riddingwood. O.E. hryding, a patch of cleared land.
Ryecroft. O.E. ryge, rye; croft, a small enclosure, in the North adjacency to a house is usually understood (EPN).
Scatley Hill.
Serrick Road.
Shaws. O.E. sceaga, a small wood.
Souter’s Grave. Souter, a cobbler.
Stab Pool. Stab, a stake (SDD).
Steelstrand. O.E. strand, a bank.
The Tooks.
Wallam Hill.
Wardlaw. O.E. weard hlaw, watch hill. See Note 2. Wild Cat Glen. Self explanatory.
KIRKMICHAEL
Ae Water. G. ey, a river.
Auchenbraith Linn. G. achadh, the field; an Breatan, of the Briton, i.e., a native of Wales or Strathclyde. G. linne, a pool.
Auchencaigroch Burn. G. achadh, the field; nan coig-reach, of the strangers or foreigners.
Auchendowal. G. achadh, the field; an Douai, Douai’s.
Auchenevin Burn. G. achadh, the field; na h-abhann, of the river.
Auchenskew. Achinskeach 1440 (RGS); Auchinskeoch 1572 (RGS); Auchinskeuch 1590 (A). G. achadh, the field; an sgitheach, of the hawthorn.
Birssyhall Wood.
Burrance. Buranis 1545; Burwanis 1550 (RGS). O.E. burgaens, a burial place. From it is derived borran, a word used in the Lake district, meaning a heap of louse stones especially Roman or pre-historic remains (S). “There are several Barrows or burrans as they are called here.” (Stat. Act.)
Burrenrig. See above.
Carrick. G. carraig, a rock.
Clachanbirnie Burn. G. clachan, a cleric’s stone cell, often rendered into Kirkton (CPN). G. braonaigh, a moist place.
Clatterstanes Burn. Self explanatory.
Corses. Crosses. “There are some large stones in Kirk-michael called Six Corses, and here it is said Wallace, with a party of 16 put to flight a company under Sir Richard Morland, who perished there with five others, 1297.’’ (D. & G.).
Courance. Cowrinche 1555 (Q); Cowrans 1574 (A); Cowrance 1583 (Sh. Bk.); Courans 1597 (Q)- Possibly O.E. ran, a boundary strip.
Craigshiel. Cragschellis 1464 (RGS). M.E. schele, a hut.
Cran Loch. Either G. crann, a tree, or, more probably O.E. cran, a crane, often used of a heron.
Cumleys. O.E. cumb, a valley; leah, a forest clearing.
Cumrue. Cumbro 1329 (RM); Combirren 1329 (RM); Cum-rew 1611 (RGS). Br. kumba; W. cwm, a valley; W. bre, a hill or ridge.
Dalcrum Burn. Dalcrome 1464 (RGS); Dalcrum 1622 (RGS). G. dail, a meadow, valley; crom, bent.
Dalfibble. Dalfubil 1376 (RM); Dalfubil 1440 (RGS); Dol-febil 1548. W. dol, a field; pebyll, tents (CPN).
Deer Burn. Le Dere 1484 (RGS); Deir 1622 (RGS). W. dwfr, water.
Donkens.
Duell Knowe. Possibly O.E. dyfel, a peg, dowel.
Fauld Linn. O.E. fald, a fold, but not confined, as it usually now is, to a sheepfold; O.E. hlynn, a torrent, waterfall, pool.
Garvald—Garvel Water. Garvalde 1376 (RM); Garvill-gill 1476 (O); Garwald 1555 (O). G. garbh, rough; allt, stream.
Glenae Tower—Glenaebank. Gleneybank 1464 (RGS). Glen of the River Ae, q.v.
Glenkill. Glenkillis 1464 (RGS). G. gleann cille, church glen.
Holehouse. Holehous 1464 (RGS); Holhous 1544 (Q); Hoilhous 1622 (RGS). O.E. hoi, a hollow.
Killyminshaw. G. coille, a wood; minnseag, a kid.
Kirkmichael. Kircmichelle 1315 (RGS); Kyrmichell 1329 (RM); Kirkmichhel 1384 (RGS); Kirkmighell 1574 (Arms); Kirkmeichall 1583 (Sh. Bk.). Self explanatory.
The Knock. Le Knokkis 1440 (RGS); Knok 1572 (RGS). G. cnoc, a hill.
Knockespen. G. cnoc easbuig, the bishop’s hill.
Lamphitt—Lambfoot Linn. Lamphitt may be a corruption of Lambfoot or both may be from O.E. lampytt, a pit from which loam has been taken.
Maggiemaut’s Knowe.
Meg’s Pool. Meg, a country woman (SDD).
Meikleholm. Mekilholme 1572 (RGS). N. mikil, great.
Mote Knowe. O.E. mot, a meeting place. As this was usually at some mound the name has come to be applied to any earthen mound.
Mount Stewart.
Nees. Nese 1464 (RGS). M.E. nese, a headland.
Pielmuir. Peel, from old French pel, was used in English p77of a palisade of stakes, a stockaded enclosure. (EPN Yorks, N.R.). O.E. mor, waste land, used more of swampy land than the modern word moor.
Pumro Fell. Pumro, a primrose; N. hall, a hill.
Ross Castle. (Site of). Rosse 1545 (O); The Ross 1555 (Q).
G. ros, a promontory, a wood, the original meaning being something standing out (CPN).
Scarberry Bank. N. sker, a rock; beorg, a hill.
Stenmuir. O.E. stan, stone; mor, waste land, but used more of swampy land than the modern word moor.
Tawnaze Hill. O.E. torr, a pile of rocks, a rocky peak; O.E. naess, a headland.
Third. Thridd 1609 (RGS). A division of land.
Tor Linn. G. or O.E. torr, a pile of rocks, a rocky peak; G. linne, a pool.
Vaze. O.E. wase, mud.
Wallace’s House. “Said to have been thrown up by Sir William Wallace after he had slain Sir Hugh of Morland and five of his men at a place still named the Sax Corses’’ (Stat. Act).
Wreath’s Tower. Wraithes 1610 (RGS). G. rath, a fort.
KIRKPATRICK-FLEMING
Allerbeck. Ellirbek 1452 (Q); Allerbek 1596 (A); Ellerbeck 1660 (Bl). O.E. alor, alder; becc, a stream.
Bakethin Bridge.
Beltenmont. Formerly called Bell’s Tenement, the present name is obviously a corruption.
Binwood Bridge. O.E. binnan, within.
Birronlees. Site unknown. O.E. burgaens, a burial place and then any large heap of stones, especially Roman or pre-historic remains; O.E. leah, a forest clearing.
Branteth. Branthat 1660 (Bl). Personal name Brandr; N. thveit, a forest clearing.
Broats. Brotts 1514 (CBP); Brottis 1612 (RGS). N. brotti, p78a heap of trees felled in a wood, and so a forest clearing, a clearing in a wood (EPN Yorks. N.R.).
Bullford.
Bullies. Sometimes Bullseye; formerly on Williamsfield Farm, it was a small cluster of cottages inhabited by weavers. (W. F. Graham of Mossknowe.)
Calvert’s Holm. Caversholme 1509 (RGS); Cawartis-holme 1572 (RGS); Cauersholm 1660 (Bl). Personal name.
Cow Gang. (Field on Branteth). A measurement of land. See Note 1.
Craigshaws. O.E. sceaga, a small wood.
Cranberry. Place where cranberries abound. There was another Cranberry somewhere round about Kennedy’s Corner, of which there is no trace now, but the name occurs in old papers.
Cronkley. O.E. cranoc or cornoc, a crane, but the name was used of herons; O.E. leah, a forest clearing.
Dalvingswalls.
Drowned Cow Sike. Origin unknown, the name goes back to about 1600.
Dunskellyrig. Dunskellie 1408 (A); Dowskelly 1509 (RGS); Dulskellie 1596 (A). G. dun, the hill, hill-fort; sgealaighe, of the teller of tales or romances.
Farrylandis. 1625 (RGS). N. faran, to go, hence a passage. This may be the origin of the name Fairyknowe as the context shows Farryland to have been in that neighbourhood.
Faulds. O.E. fald, a fold, but not confined to a sheepfold. Fauldingcleuch. See above.
Flemyngraw. 1625 (RGS). O.E. raw, a row. See Kirkpatrick-Fleming.
Flosh. Flush 1660 (Bl). M.E. flosshe, a marshy place.
Fuldouris. 1555 (A). O.E. ful, foul, muddy; dor, a door, and then a narrow pass.
Gair. Either N. garthr, an enclosure or O.E. gara, an isolated spot of tender grass.
Gallhill. Gall, a wet unfertile spot in a field (SDD). Gedshole. Ged, a pike (SDD).
Gilgoun. 1498 (RGS); Kilgon 1660 (Bl). On the Kirtle below the High Muir, site lost.
Gillshaw. The last syllable is O.E. sceaga, a small wood, the first might be a personal name.
Harecraigs. 1660 (Bl). O.E. har, old grey. Near Craig-shaws, site lost.
Hodlington. 1807 (V.R.) Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Howgillside. Howalsyde 1633 (RGS). O.E. hoi, a hollow. Kirkconnel. Kircconveth 1427 (RGS); Kyrkconnell i486 (Q); Kirkconvell 1506 (O). The church of St. Connall or Convallus; he is said to have been a disciple of St. Kenti-gern. His centre may have been Dercongal “Connall’s Oakwood,” now Holywood. He is supposed to be buried at Inchinnan in Renfrewshire. (Trans. 1923.) The old parish of Kirkconnel was united to Kirkpatrick in 1609.
Kirkpatrick-Fleming. Kirkepatric 1179 (REG); Kirche-patric 1181 (REG); Kirkepatrick 1291 (RR); Kirk Patrick 1291 (RR); Kirk Petry 1660 (Bl). Self explanatory. In the 12th cent, the Augustinian Priory of Gyse-burn was in possession of the churches (inter alia) of Kirkpatrick with Logan Chapel, Cummertrees, Rain-patnck and Gretna. ‘‘The origin of Fleeming is likewise obvious; this being the name of a very ancient and respectable family, who, in former times, enjoyed large and considerable possessions in this part of the country.” (Stat. Act.)
Kirtle Water. Kyrtilhous 1452 (A); Kirktilcloishe 1572 (RGS); Kirtilcloche 1591 (RGS).
Langshaw. Langschaw 1612 (RGS). O.E. sceaga, a small wood.
Look Out. Formerly called Glowr Owre.
Lown Wath. Lonwath 1625 (RGS); Lonwaith 1641 (RET). N. lundr, a small wood; N. wath, a ford.
Manitoba. (Field on Branteth).
Merkland. A measurement of land.
Merkland Cross. The cross was erected to John, Master of Maxwell, eldest son of Robert, 2nd Lord Maxwell, who was killed here in 1464 after a battle in which the English were beaten. The Scots suffered “the loss of the Master of Maxwell, thir chiftane; for in mean tyme ther was ane Scottish limmar, called Gask, whose kinsman the Master of Maxwell hade caused hang be justice. ...This Gask in revenge of his wicked intentions thought it ane meit tyme and stickit the said Master behind his back with ane long whinger as he was leaning and reposing himself on his sword hilt, being very evelie hurt and wounded in the field before, and sun he died ther.” (Copy of old Ms. in Trans. 1902.)
Mossknowe. Mouseknow 1660 (Bl). O.E. mos, moss.
Muckdock. (Near Mossknowe).
Nowt Hill. Nolt Hill 1850. Nowt, black cattle (SDD).
Nutberry Hill. O.E. hnutu, a nut; beorg, a hill.
Pincod. W. pen, a hill; coed, a wood.
Raeburn. Roeburn 1660 (Bl). O.E. ra, a roe-deer.
Raeburnsteill. 1667 (Springkell Paper). See Raeburn. O.E. sttall, a site, place, cattle stall.
Redhall. Reidhall I591 (RGS); Ryidhall 1660 (Bl). Probably O.E. hreod, a reed.
Redheuch. Reidwitht 1155 (A). O.E. hreod, a reed; healh, a corner, recess, secret place; the old form of the name is from O.E. withig, withy, or N. vithr, a small wood.
Sarkshields. Sarkschellis 1612 (RGS), alias Storlands (Springkell papers). M.E. schele, a hut.
Sidlands. Field on Branteth. Sid, the husk of oats (SDD). The Slonks. (Field on Howgillside). Slonk, a bog (SDD). Snab. The projecting part of a hill or rock; a steep place; the brow of a steep ascent (S).
Springkell. Springkayle 1485 (A); Sprynkaillie i534 (RGS). N. kelda, a spring. The original Springkell p81stood at the junction of the two Sarks and is so shown on the 1660 (Bl) map.
The Tey Field. (Caldronlea). Probably “the added field.”
Thridd Burn. 1660 (Bl). Third, a division of land. Near Allerbeck, site lost.
Tinnis Hill. W. dinas, a derivative of din, a fort (CPN).
Wiseby. Personal name Wyse; N. by, a farm.
Woodhouse. Woddes 1596 (A). O.E. wudu, a wood.
KIRKPATRICK-JUXTA
Annant Hill.
Auchen Castle. Haughencas 1306 (RM); Auchinkeach 1376 (RM); Achincayse 1436 (Q); Achincash 147 5 (Q); Achinkeash 1440 (O); Auchincas 1549 (RGS); Hauchin-caythe. G. achadh, the field; na caise, of the stream of water, or steepness.
Balshaw Bog. O.E. balca, a ridge; sceaga, a small wood.
Barntimpen. Bartympane 1542. G. barr, the hill-top; an tiompain, of the rounded hump.
Bearholm. O. E. bere, barley.
Beattock. Baithuke 1489 (A); Betok 1549 (RGS); Baithdok 1550 (RGS); Badok 1555 (A); Bathok 1560 (A); Batok 1592 (A); Baitok 1625 (RGS). The second syllable appears to be O.E. hoc, a hook, bend.
Biggarts. Begyards 1560 (A). N. bygg, barley; N. garthr, an enclosure, or O.E. geard, an enclosure.
Blairmach. G. blar, dappled; magh, a plain.
Blairmuc Burn. G. blar, the plain; muc, of pigs. Boartree. O.E. burtree, an elder tree.
Boreland Tower. Boreland, land held on the rental of a food supply, a home farm.
Braides Burn. G. braghaid, upland.
Brattle Burn. Used of a stream, to flow noisily (SDD).
Cogries. Cogre 1529 (RGS); Cogries 1580 (RGS); Cow-gries 1583 (Sh. Bk.).' Possibly G. coigroch, a boundary.
Cowley Head. O.E. cu leah, cow clearing.
Craighoar. G. creag odhar, grey crag.
Dowcleuch Burn. G. dubh, black.
Duff Kinnel Water. G. dubh, black. See Kinnel.
Dumgree. Dungrey 1140 (K.Ch.); Dumgray 1266 (K.Ch.) Drumgrey 1408 (A). G. dun, the fort, hill; graighe, of the horse stud.
Dunlees. G. dun, the hill, hill-fort; liss, of the fortified enclosure.
Dupple Burn. G. dubh poll, black stream.
Earshaig. Eirshak 1581 (Sh. Bk.); Earshag (V.R. 1807. Erisch, the Irishman’s ; hagg, soft bog in a moor (SDD).
Egypt — Grand Cairo — Rosetta — Valenciennes. Sir William Younger of Auchen Castle writes with reference to these names—“There is no doubt that these names were given to the houses in question by General Johnstone, who was one of Abercrombie’s officers, and who served in Egypt about 1800 during the time of Napoleon’s invasion. I have always heard it stated that these names were given to the houses on account of General Johnstone’s associations with Egypt. It has also been stated that some of the plantations here were planted by him to represent the disposition of the British troops at the battle of Aboukir.”
Eyre Burn. N. eyri, gravelly point.
Fang Burn. Either so called from its shape or from N. fang, hunting, fishing (ERN).
Fortypenny Moss. A measurement of land. See note 1.
Garpol. G. garbh poll, rough stream.
Glenuanshan Burn. G. gleann uinnseinn, glen of the ash tree.
Hamarty Hill.
Harestanes. O.E. har, old, grey, but often used of a boundary mark.
Hoarlaw. O.E. har, see above; hlaw, a hill.
Holehouse. O.E. hoi, a hollow.
Holmshaw. Holmeschaw 1580 (RGS). N. holmr, low lying land by a river; O.E. sceaga, a small wood.
Ingleston. Personal name Inglis, or, “The Englishman’s Farm.”
Kellobank.
Ker. 1550 (RGS). N. kjarr, a copse, or a personal name.
Kinnel Water—Kinnelhead. Kyndilknok 1448 (Act of Scots Pari.); Kindalheid 1529 (RGS); Kendilheid 1622 (RGS). Kyndilknok, is I. caindel chnoc, torch hill. See Note 2.
Kirkpatrick-Juxta. Kirkpatrik juxta Moffet 1355 (Q); Kilpatrick Juxta 1528 (Q). Self explanatory.
Knap of the Gate Craig. O.E. cnaepp, summit of a hill; a short, sharp ascent; N. gata, a road.
Knockbuith Hill. G. cnoc, the hill; boithe, of the hut.
Knockilsine Hill. Knokilschane 1561 (RGS). Possibly G. cnoc ilse, lower hill.
The Knypes. N. gnipa, a steep hill.
Langbedholm. Langboddum 1578 (A); Langvidden 1581 (Sh. Bk.); Langbodome 1625 (RGS); Langboddom (V.R. 1807). O.E. lang botm, the long valley.
Larbreck. G. learg, a hillside; breac, speckled.
Lochhouse Tower. Lowhouse 1568 (BM); Lochehous 1609 (O). Self explanatory.
Lonnachie Rig. Ridge covered with couch grass (SDD). Maceraw.
Marlinn Grain. N. grein, a fork, a small valley opening out of a larger.
Monathairy. G. monadh, the hill ground; aire, of the watching.
Mount Glass. G. glas, green.
Murthat. Murquhat 1550 (RGS). O.E. mor, waste land, but used more in the sense of swampy land than the modern word moor. N. thveit, a forest clearing.
Neath Hill. Neath, lower, beneath (SDD).
Penbreck. W. pen, a head; brych, spotted.
Pennygill. Penny used as a measurement of land. See Note I.
Priest’s Moss.
Samuel’s Chair.
Skellynell. (V.R. 1807).
Stanshielrig. Stanchellrig (V.R.). O.E. ,stan, stone; M.E. schele, a small hut; O.E. hrycg, a ridge.
Stidrigs. O.E. stede, a place, site; hrycg, a ridge.
Swynefoot. (V.R. 1807).
Tappit Knowes. Tappit, crested.
Tarnis Burn. Probably G. tarr, the breast; an easa, of the waterfall, i.e., the bulging slope near the fall. (Prof. Watson.)
Tassies Height. G. taise, softness.
Tath Hill. Tath, the luxuriant grass grown on manured land.
Thornock. Thornhuke 1526 (A); Thornuke 1543 (A); Thornik 1545 (A); Thornok 1546 (A). O.E. thorn, a thorn bush; hoc, a hook, a projecting tongue of land.
Threepen Burn. M.E. threapian, to quarrel, dispute, or the ground or place concerned in such quarrel.
Wardlaw. O.E. weard hlaw, watch hill.
LANGHOLM
Ariesgill. Aresgill (V.R.). N. erg, a shelter; the word is derived ultimately from (Old I.) airge, a place for milking cows. It might also be the personal name Ari.
Arkenholm. Arkin holme 1458 (Arms). Personal name Arkil. This was the scene of the battle between the Douglasses and the Royalists in 1455, and was granted to John Batison for his share in the fight.
Barntalloch. Brettalach 1190 (K. Ch.); Bretellaugh 1336 (Arms); Bretallow 1389 (Arms); Bryntallone 1551 (Arms). G. barr nan teallach, hill or summit of the forges, where the bre- forms are for G. braigh, upland, upper part. (Prof. Watson.)
Bauchle Hill. G. buachail, a herdsman or standing stone.
Berthe. 1610 (RGS). W. perth, a wood.
Bigholm. Bigholmes 1623 (RGS); Beggiemms 1660 (Bl). N. bygg, barley. Though spelt on the O.S. map as shown it is always spoken of as Bigholms, following the old name.
Bloch. Bloch 1612 (RGS); Bloche 1621 (RGS). May be a corruption of G. bealach, a pass.
Blough Sike.
Breconwra. Brakanwra 1249 (K. Ch.). M.E. braken, bracken; N. vra, a corner, a piece of good land wedged in between useless land (S).
Brock Linns. O.E. brocc, a badger; hlynn, a torrent, waterfall, pool; or G. broclann, a badger’s earth.
Brokinhirdschoill. 1633 (RGS).
Broomholm. Broomholme 1595 (Arms). O.E. brom, broom.
Bught Knowe. Bught, a sheepfold.
Burian Hill. O.E. burgaens, a burial place, and then any heap of loose stones, especially Roman or pre-historic remains.
Calfield. Cafild 1660 (Bl). O.E. cald, cold; feld, a great stretch of unenclosed land, used as a term opposed to woodland.
Carlingill. N. kerling, an old woman.
Carnesgill. 1619 (RGS). Personal name.
Clagberry Sike. O.E. claeg, clay; beorg, a hill.
Cock Gair. Gair, a patch of green on a hillside (SDD).
Cock Play Hill
Collin Haggs. M.E. collen, literally, to behead, used of a flat topped hill; hagg, wild, broken, moorish ground.
Coomb Sike. O.E. cumb a valley.
Deanygill Sike. O.E. denu, a valley; it might also be from O.E. Dene, a Dane, the two being very difficult to distinguish (EPN).
Earshaw. Erishauch 1612 (RGS); Earshud 1615 (RGS); Irishauch 1621 (RGS); Erschauch 1623 (RGS); Eris-
p86chauche 1633 (RGS). “The Irishman’s Hauch.” O.E. healh, a corner, recess, hidden place, a small hollow in a hillside, the modern meaning being a low lying piece of land by a river.Elf Knowe. Fairy hill.
Flosh. M.E. flosshe, a marshy place.
Gallowside. Galasydhill 1660 (Bl). O.E. gealga, a gallows; side, the slope of a hill.
Glenbertan. G. gleann Breatan, the Britons’ glen.
Glencorf. Glencorff 1621 (RGS). Possibly G. gleann coirthe, glen of the memorial stone. (Prof. Watson.)
Gleneroch. Either G. gleann earach, easterly glen, or, gleann eireachda, glen of the assembly.
Glenfirra. G. gleann foithre, copse glen.
Glentenmont Height. Glentenmonthheid 1621 (RGS); Glentounmontheid 1623 (RGS). W. glyn, a glen; W. tan, fire; W. monid, a hill (CPN). The old ending heid, a head, has been corrupted into height.
Gowd Muir. Possibly on account of its colour.
"spanc class="hw">Healey Hill- O.E. heah, high; leah, forest clearing. Henwell.
Keppock Rig. G. ceapach, full of stumps or tree roots, or, a tillage patch; O.E. hrycg, a ridge.
Kirncleuch Fell. Kirn, a mire (SDD). N. hall, a hill.
Kitty’s Cairn. Kediehous 1625 (RGS). G. ceide, a compact kind of a hill, smooth and bare at the top (HM).
Langholm. Langeholme 1249 (K.Ch.); Langholme 1376 (RM). “The long holm.”
Loganhead—Logan Water. Loganeheid 1610 (RGS). G. lagan, or I. logan, a hollow.
Mirkslair Hill. N. myrkr, dark; slairg, slimy, or a quantity of semi-fluid substance.
Nesse. 13 71 (RM); Neishill 16 2 3 (RGS); Nise 1660 (Bl). M.E. nese, a headland.
Peden’s View.
Raegill. Regill 1660 (Bl). N. or O.E. ra, a roe-deer.
Rashiel Sike. O.E. rysc, a rush; M.E. schele, a small hut.
Rush Hill. Rischelbusk 1376 (RM); Rashybuss 1660 (Bl). O.E. rysc, a rush, whence comes M.E. risshe. The old word “buss” meant, in old Scots, a wood consisting of oak and birch (CPN).
Sauchy Sike. O-E. salh, a willow.
Shaw. O.E. sceaga, a small wood.
Sorbie Hass. N. saur, mud; by, a farm; hass, a pass, from N. hals.
Staplegordon. Stapelgorton 1140 (K.Ch.); Stabilgortoun 1376 (RM); Stablegordoun 1561 (Arms); Staipilgordoun 1660 (Bl); Staple Gorton (Fasti Ecclesiae). O.E. stapol, a post, pillar; gor, dirt, mud; tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it. (See also Half Morton).
Tansy Hill. Tansy, a wild flower.
Thorsgill. Personal name Thorir or Thora.
Timpen Knowe. G. tiompan, a rounded hump.
Tourney Holm. Tornewynholme 1584 (CPB); Turner-hoome 1660 (Bl). A place where single combats were held, cf. Arms p. 73.
Waes. 1660 (Bl). O-E. wase, mud.
Warbla. Wabrethhillis 1631 (RGS); Wurbla 1660 (Bl); Warb Law (V.R.). Possibly O.E. weala Bretta, the stranger Briton. The term weala, W elshman, foreigner, serf, was often applied by the English to the Britons.
Wattirgranis. 1621 (RGS). N. grein, a fork, a small valley opening out of a larger.
Wauchope Water. Waleuhop 1200 (Mel. Ch.); Waluchop 1249 (RM); Wauchop 1285 (RM); Walghop 1296 (RR); Walchehop 1322 (RM); Walughopdale 1336 (Arms); Wachopilldaill 1340 (Arms); Woughopdale 138$ Arms); Walchop 1388 (Arms); Walghapp 1514 (Arms); Wawcop 1547 (Arms); Waichoope 1660 (Bl). O.E. weala, Welshman, foreigner, serf, often applied by the English to the Britons; O.E. hop, a small valley among the hills.
Whita Hill. Whyta 1660 (Bl). O.E. hwit, white, the term p88is used of open pasture as opposed to wood and heather (EPN).
LOCHMABEN
Aik Rig. O.E. ac, an oak, hrycg, a ridge.
Le Bayflat, 1486 (RGS). M.E. flat, a loan word from N. flot, a level piece of ground, one of the larger portions into which the common field was divided (EPN).
Beebinklees. The field of the wild bees’, or wasps’, nest. Le Berresdikis. i486 (RGS). O.E. die, a ditch or dyke. Blakebec “Under Thornthuayt” 1194(0). N. blaec, black; bekkr, a stream.
Broomhill. Brumell i486 (A); Bruymmel 1560 (CBP); Brumehill 1560 (CBP); Brommel 1585 (CBP). O.E-brom, broom.
Burrance Knowe. O.E. burgaens, a burial place, and then any large heap of stones.
Bush Moor. Old Scots “buss” meant a wood consisting of oak and birch (CPN).
Carthat. The first syllable might be a personal name, the second is N. thveit, a forest clearing.
Cockethill. Cockhairthill 1612 (RGS); Cockarthill 1625 (RGS).
Conite Moss.
Elshieshields. Eschelis 1521 (A); Alchishiels 1565 (Q); Elscheschelis 1587 (A). O.E. aesc, an ash tree; M.E. schele, a small hut. Or might be G. aillse, a fairy.
Esbie. Eskeby 1291 (RR); Esby i486 (RGS). N. eski, a place grown over with ash trees; N- by, a farm.
Gallows Hill. Close to the castle, self explanatory.
Glufar Acre. 1455 (A). O.E. aecer, a cultivated piece of land. Glufar perhaps connected with Gluff, a blast, gust (SDD).
Gotterbie Acre.
Greynland. 1542 (RGS); Grenelauch 1545 (RGS). The first syllable may be O.E. grene, green, or, used as a p89noun, a grassy spot; it might also be N. grein, a fork, branch of a stream; -lauch, O.E. lache, a slow, sluggish stream, a boggy hole.
Grummel Loch. Thick, muddy (SDD).
Halleaths. Hallathis 1452 (Q); Hallachis i486 (RGS); Hawlathis 1511 (Q); Hawlathes 1550 (Arms); Hallethies 1625 (RGS). N. hali, a projecting tongue of land; N. hlatha, a barn.
Hartwood. Harthuat 1419 (RGS); Harthweth 1562 (RGS); Harthwart 1612 (RGS); Harthet (V.R. 1807). N. hjarta, a deer, but in this case more probably used as a personal name; thveit, a forest clearing.
Heck. Hek 1610 (RGS). O.E. haecc, a floodgate, sluice.
Henderland Island. Possibly connected with “Hugh Hendeman’s land’’ 1218 (Q).
Hightae. Haghtache 1360 (RGS); Heytach 1366 (RGS); Heythathe 1429 (RGS); Hieta 1508 (RSS); The Hie Taitht 1563 (Arms); Hietaa 1610 (RGS); Hietae 1625 (RGS). Taith, a manured field.
Inch Burn. G. innis, an island, meadow.
Kerdis Acre. 1455 (A). O.E. aecer, a cultivated piece of land.
Kinning Hill. Cwnninghillis 1612 ((RGS); Cunnyghillis 1625 (RGS). O.E. cyning, a king.
Lochmaben. Louchamaban 1170 (REG); Lochmaben 1180 (REG); Loghmaban 1200 (Mel. Ch.); Loumaban 1223 (REG); Louchmabane 1371 (RM); Lowhgmaben 1374 (Q); Lochtmabane i486 (Q); Lowmaben 1578 (A). Mabon was the Celtic sun-god, but whether referred to here is not clear (CPN).
The Lowes of Lochmaben. Old W. luch, a lake (EPN 1, P- 19)-
Marjoribanks. Mariorybank i486 (Q)-
Marlake. PGoldmurloch 1455 (A). Probably O.E. maere, a march, boundary; lacu, a watercourse.
Mauger Pool. Maugre, ill-will, spite (SDD).
Millwillan Ford. Willan, willow (SDD).
Murthat or Deil’s Dyke. “This is really a stratified formation of sand and gravel, utterly different from the Dyke proper.” (Report of the Hist. Monuments Commission).
Ouseby. 1360 Hwsbyfield 1366 (RGS); Usebyfield 1429 (RGS). I. os, water; N. by, a farm; O.E. feld, meaning exactly the opposite to our “field,” for it meant a great stretch of unenclosed land, similar to Dutch veldt (EPN).
Oxtart. Perhaps O.E. straet, a road.
Park End. Park 1551 (A). O.E. pearroc, a small enclosure. Probably connected with “The Park of Lochmaben Castle.” 1366.
Ruchdyk. 1455 (A). O.E. ruh, rough; die, a ditch or earthwork.
Shot-him Knowe.
Skairfield. N. skjaer, a rock. Skair, the bare part of a hillside (SDD).
Sondsechloch. 1455 (A).
Spedlins Tower. Speldinges 1547 (Arms); Spadlinggis 1550 (RGS).
Tappit-hen Wood.
Templand. Land which belonged to the Knights Templars. They were a military order founded in 1118, they came to Scotland when David I. introduced the feudal system.
Thorniewhat. Thornthuayt 1195 (A); The Thornie quhat ■521 (A); rhornythwate 1585 (CBP); Thorniquhat 1572 (A). N. thorn, a thorn bush; N. thveit, a forest clearing.
Valison Burn.
Vendace Burn. No doubt connected with the fish of that name.
Woody Castle. Wedy Castel 1455 (A). O.E. wudu, a wood.
MIDDLEBIE
Albie. Oldby 1660 (Bl). O.E. aid, old; N. by, a farm.
Allfornought. Allfornocht 1610 (RGS); Affirnok 1624 (RGS). G. all, a rock; fornocht, stark naked (CPN). The local tradition about the name is that the land was p91put into cultivation, but that it gradually went back to hill land and all the trouble was in vain.
Asky Gill. N. askr, an ash.
Balgreen. (V.R. 1807). G. baile, the house; greine, of the sun.
Birny Hill. Birny, covered with charred stems of heather. (SDD). Or possibly G. braonaigh, an oozy place.
Birrens. Byrrens 1660 (Bl). O.E. burgaens, a burial place, and then any large heap of stones, especially Roman or pre-historic remains.
Blackwood House. (Called Blacket); Blackethouse, Blacwde 1194 (Q); Blacathous 1583 (A). O.E. blaec wudu, black wood.
Blenkins.
Boigthroppil. 1612 (RGS); Bogthropil 1621 (RGS). Bog thropple or thropill, the neck of the bog.
Callisterhall. Personal name Kali; N. stathr, a farm.
Carruthers. Carrotheris 1372 (Q); Carutheris 1495 (O). W. caer Rydderch, Rydderch’s fort. He was ruler of the Strathclyde Britons under the title of King of Alclut, after the battle of Arderydd (Arthuret) in 573 (HM).
Chub Cottage. Near East Linbridgeford, site lost. Congup.
Conhess. Conhesleyis 1610 (RGS). G. con, dog; eas. waterfall, probably referring to otters (CPN).
Cornflat Hill. Possibly G. coran, a hill.
Crags. Craigie 1621 (RGS).
Crawthat. O.E. crawe, a crow; more probably used as a personal name; N. thveit, a forest clearing.
Crosie.
Crowdieknowe.
Cutty Cleuch. Cutty, short, from G. cutach.
Dalbate. G. dail bhaite, drowned glen, viz., subject to flooding (CPN).
Darlawhill. O.E. deor, deer; hlaw, a hill.
Dirrup.
Dockenflat. Duncanflatt (V.R. 1807). The first part is p92probably a personal name though it might be O.E. dokke, a dock; M.E. flat, a level piece of ground, used of one of the larger portions into which the common field was divided (EPN).
Dogslacks. N. slakki, a hollow, boggy place.
Donkins.
Dunnabie. Dundoby 1452 (Q); Dundonby, Dundoube 1544 (Q); Downandbie 1572 (Q); Downambie 1591 (RGS). G. dun, a hill, hill-fort. This would make the name “the fort of Doby.” Doby again would seem to be a Norse name, viz., the by, or farm, of someone whose name is represented by the first syllable.
Ennie Gill. Perhaps from G. eang, a nook, primarily anything triangular.
Fallford. N. fall, place where trees have been felled, also used to denote enclosures from Woodland (EPN).
Fir Creels.
Fulton. O.E. ful, dirty, muddy, tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Galls. Possibly referred to as Galzaneleis 1517 (RGS); Galzeanleis 1542 (RGS). Gall, a wet, unfertile spot in a field.
Gatelawbank. N. gata, a road; O.E. hlaw, a hill.
Gilmartin. G. gille, a servant, “Martin’s servant.” G. gille-martuinn is a name for a fox. The name is probably shortened from G. baile etc., viz., the house of Martins servant.
Grains. N. grein, a fork, a small valley opening out of a larger.
Greengatehouse Greengatho 1660 (Bl). N. Grene gata, green road.
Hass. Hass, a neck, pass, from N. hals.
Hempy Sike. Hempy, wild, riotous (SDD).
Hotts. Hottcroft 1612 (RGS). Hott, a small heap of anything carelessly put up; a small heap of manure drawn from a cart in a field for spreading (SDD).
Howath. N. hoi, a hollow; vath, a ford.
Land. G. lann, an enclosure, or O.E. land, an estate; one of the strips into which a field that has been ploughed is divided.
Linbridgeford. Lynbrig 1624 (RGS); Lynebridge 1625 (RGS). In (O) there is a deed dated 1349 in which it states that W illiam of Carruthers was granted land in Middlebie which had belonged to Thomas de Lindbi. Also the Drumlanrig Inventory of 1693 refers to the grant “of the lands in Middlebie quhilk were sometymes Thomas Aplindi s. Linbridgeford would seem to be a corruption of Lindbi s ford, and this would account for the word “bridge” being in the middle of the name whereas the ford must have been there long before the bridge. Lindbi is probably a still older personal name and means “the house of Lind. Aplindi is the Welsh form of the name and appears as Radulph de Aplindene 1200 (Mel. Ch.). Applingdene 1305 (O).
Lintdubmoss. Lint, flax; dub, a small pool of water (SDD). Mein. W. maen, stone.
Middingknowe. 1625 (RGS). Midden, a dunghill; coupled with Hotts, site lost.
Middlebie. 1291 (RR); Mydilby 1349 (Q); Meddilby 1349 (O); Middilby 1452 (Q). N. methal by, middle farm.
Middlewhat. N. methal, middle; thveit, forest clearing.
Minister’s Moss. So called because the Minister has the right of casting peats there.
Minsca.
Morals. Morie Walls 1828; Moorhills (VR).
Muckle Snab. Snab, the projecting part of a hill; a steep ascent.
Newke. 1544 (Arms). A nook, recess.
Outler Sike. Outler, not housed, a beast that lies out in the winter (SDD).
Palling Burn. Powlin 1488 (RGS); Polyn 1498 (RGS); Poling 1610 (RGS). G. poll lin, flax stream.
Palmersgill. Palmer, one who goes from place to place shabbily dressed; or who wanders idly from place to place (SDD).
Patrickholm. Patrikholme 1612 (RGS).
Pengaw. 1612 (RGS). Coupled with Carruthers.
Pennersaughs. Penresax 1218 (Q); Pendersax 1464 (Q); Prendirsex 1464 (Q); Penerysex, Pennyrsax, Pennersex 1495 (Q); Pennyresexe 1499 (Q); Pennersax 1500 (Q); Pounersauges 1550 (Arms). W. pen yr Sax, the hill of the Saxon.
Penoben Burn. W. pen, a head.
Pingle. Pingleburne 1597 (CBP). A struggle for livelihood; labour, toil, without much result (SDD). The Pingle Burn was mentioned as one of the boundaries of the old Debatable Land (CBP).
Pokeskine Burn. Pokesking 1610 (RGS); Poleskine 1610 (RGS); Pockeskein 1627 (RGS); Powheskin 1660 (Bl). G. poll, the stream; eas cumhang, of the narrow waterfall.
Purdomston. Personal name. In 1478 Corry of Newby sued James Purdone for wrongfully occupying certain lands in Middlebie. It was decided that, while Newbie possesses the superiority, Purdone has proved his lawful entry. (Trans. 1912. The Corries of Annandale.)
Respittege. Rispittige 1610 (RGS); Rispettedge 1627 (RGS). O.E. hris, brushwood; pytt, a pit; ecg, edge. Coupled with Allfornought, site lost.
Respond. 1498 (RGS). Possibly the first syllable is O.E. hris, brushwood, no clue to the rest. Coupled with Allfornought, site lost.
Risp Hill. Risp, coarse grass that grows on marshy ground (Ja).
Rotten Moss. Rotten, rainy, damp (SDD).
Ruchlie. 1698 (RGS). O.E. ruh, rough; leah, a forest clearing.
Satur. N. saetr, a summer pasture farm.
Scalerig. N. skali, a hut; O.E. hrycg, a ridge.
Scotsbridge. Godsbrig 1660 (Bl).
Setthorns. Setthorn 1698 (RGS). Set, stunted in growth; no longer growing; bent (SDD).
Shilla Hill. Rising ground where grain can be winnowed by the wind (SDD). O.E. scealian, to shell (Ja).
Stell Bush. O.E. steall, a site, place, cattle-stall (EPN). Now a sheep enclosure. Bush, in old Scots, meant a wood consisting of oak and birch (CPN).
Stockbridge. O.E. stoccen brycg, bridge made of logs.
Tanlawhill. Tannasyd 1612 (RGS); Tannalie 1621 (RGS); Tanna 1625 (RGS); Tannansyde 1633 (RGS). I. teannail, a beacon fire. The endings of the different forms of the name are respectively O.E. side, a slope; leah, a forest clearing; and hlaw, a hill.
Thorlaw Knowe. See Torbeckhill below.
Toddleknowe. Tod hill, fox hill. N. toddi, a bunch of wool.
Toftgates. Toftgaitis 1511 (Q); Tofteyeates 1550 (Arms). Toft, a farm, enclosure; O.E. geat, a gate. Taylor says “toft” is distinctly Danish and is unknown in Norway. As far as I know this is the only occurrence of the word in the county.
Torbeckhill. Thorbrec 1218 (Q); Torbok Hill 1660 (Bl). Tor is the Norse personal name Thorir or Thora; the second part is either N. brekka, a slope, hillside, or N. bekkr, a stream, either suits the situation.
’Tween Waters. Betuix the watters 1612 (RGS). Self explanatory.
Urleybutt Well.
Whitehill. O.E. hwit, white; the word is used of open pasture as opposed to wood and heather.
Willie’s Shank and Cleuch. These may be connected with Willambie 1190 (Q); Wilhamby 1660 (Bl). Personal name and N. by, a farm. The lands of Thorbrec and Willambie are granted together.
Winterhope. Winterhoipheid 1631 (RGS); Winterhoup 1660 (Bl). Personal name Wintra; O.E. hop, a small valley among the hills.
Wizzen Gill. Wizzen, parched, dried up (SDD).
MOFFAT
Airdmagh Gill. G. ard, a height; magh, a plain.
Aldcongayle. 1371 (RM). Perhaps G. allt, the stream; conghail, a conflict, especially a conflict of waters.
Andrewhinney Hill.
Archbank. Erischebank 1523 (A); Ersbank 1542 (RGS); Ershbank 1592 (A). Erisch, Irish. “The Irishman’s bank.’’
Auchencat. G. achadh, the field; nan cat, of the cats.
Auldton. Auldtoun 1370 (RGS). Self explanatory.
Bannock Stone. G. bannauc, peaked.
Bearmeal Knowe. Bear-mell, an instrument for beating the husks off barley (SDD). O.E. bere, barley.
Beastock. G. biastag, an insect, used as a term of contempt.
Beesbeck. Bees, a state of confusion (SDD). O.E. becc, a stream.
Bilscleuch. Personal name Bili.
Birnock Water. G. braonagh, little oozy one. (Prof. Watson.)
Birnock Cloves. Cloves, used of a mill, that which separates what are called the bridgeheads (Ja).
Blaemires Moss. Blewmyre 1625 (RGS). N. blar, dark, cold, cheerless ; myrr, mire, used of swampy moorland.
Bodesbeck. Bodsbeck 1457 (A); Bodisbek 1535 (A);
Boidisbek 1625 (RGS); Botch beck 1828. Personal name and O.E. becc, a stream.
Boreland. Land held on the rental of a food supply; a home farm.
Breckonside Hill. M.E. braken, bracken; O.E. side, the slope of a hill.
Brockhope Head. O.E. brocc, a badger; hop, a hollow among the hills.
Bruntcleuch Shank. First part self explanatory. O.E. sceanga, the projecting part of a hill.
Capplegill. Capilgill 1371 (RM). N. kapilla, a chapel.
Carrifran. Corriefaine 1577 (ROS); Carriferan 1807 (V.R.); Corry Feran 1828; Carriferan (V.R.). W. caer y fran, raven’s fort.
Carrifran Gans.
The Causey. A path, the same as English “causeway.”
Cheese Wells.
Chimmies Knowe.
Cloffin Burn. Cloffin, the noise made by a loose shoe on man or beast (SDD).
Cor Craig. See next name.
Corhead. Le Cor 1376 (RM); Corhede 1473 (RGS). G. curr, an end, a pit.
Cornal Burn and Tower. Pocornat 1521 (A); Polcornare 1543 (A). G. poll, the stream; cornaire, of the horn blower.
Cotts. Cottis 1546 (A); Coittis 1550 (RGS). O.E. cot, a cottage.
Cowdie Grain. Cowdie, pleasant, kindly; N. grein, a fork, used of a small valley opening out of a larger.
Craigieburn. Cragoburn 1555 (A); Craghopburn 1573 (A). Br. krakio, which became W. craig, a rock.
Craigmichen.
Dow Linn. G. dubh linne, black pool.
Dumcrief. Duncreth 1357 (O); Drumcreuch 1535 (A); Drumcreyth 1530 (RGS). G. dun, the hill, hill-fort; craoibhe, of the tree.
Earlside.
Emblem Brae.
Ericstone. Ayrikstan 1315 (RGS); Harahstane 1592 (A); Arikstane 1611 (RGS). G. clach na h-eirce, stone of the atonement, or, clach an eireachta, stone of the assembly. The modern name is a half translation (CPN).
Evan Water. Auendale 1316 (Q); Avandale 1459 (RGS); Evendaill 1629 (RGS). W. afon, a river.
Firthhope Burn. O.E. fyrhth, wood, wooded country; hop, a hollow among the hills.
Fleckit Hill. Fleckit, spotted (SDD).
Flisken Hill.
Frenchland. Francheland 1543 0M« Personal name. William Franciscus and Roger, his son, held land from the Bruces in the 12th cent, near Moffat. Report of the Hist. Monuments Commission.)
Frizzles Linn. Frizle, a hissing, spluttering sound (SDD). O.E. hlynn, a torrent, waterfall, pool.
Gallow Hill. O.E. gealga, gallows. This was one of the beacon hills. See Note 2.
Games Gill.
Gape Craig. Gape, a gap (SDD).
Glaisteriskingland. 1611 (RGS). G. glas, green; tir, land.
Gramptoun. 1376 (RM); Grauntoune 1473 (RGS); Gran-toun 1560 (A). Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Greenhilcotis. 1315 (RGS). O.E. cot, a small hut.
Greskine. Graskin 1508 (RSS); Greskyn 1570 (RGS); Gresking 1629 (RGS). Possibly G. creas chinn, straight or narrow head (J).
The Gyle. G. gabhal, a fork.
Harley Craig. O.E. har, old, grey; the word may also be descriptive of a boundary (EPN). O.E. leah, a forest clearing.
Hartfell. O.E. heorot or N. hjarta, a stag; N. fjall, a hill.
Harthope. Herthop 1514 (Arms); Harthop 1519 (A);
Hartupe 1581 (Sh. Bk.). O.E. heorot or N. hjarta, a stag, also used as a personal name. O.E. hop, a small hollow among the hills.
Hass o’ the Red Roads. N. hals, a pass, neck. Hassockwell. O.E. hassuc, coarse grass.
Henniland. 1625 (RGS). Personal name.
Herring Loup. The only explanation is that it may be the personal name Tiring; from its situation it obviously can have nothing to do with the fish.
Highlandman’s Loup.
Howslack. N. hoi, a hollow; slakki, a shallow valley.
Kyla. G. caol, narrow; ath, ford.
Lairddale Wood.
Larie Linn. N. leira, a clayey place; O.E. hlynn, a torrent, waterfall, pool.
Loch Skeen. G. sgine, of the knife, from its resemblance to a knife cut (CPN). “There is an island where the eagles bring out their young in great safety” (Stat. Act).
Logan. Logane 1412 (Q). G. lagan, a hollow.
Lucikert Hole.
Meikleholm. Mikylholmesyde 1315 (RGS); Mikilholme 1376 (RM); Mekleholmesyde 1508 (RSS). N. mikil, great, big; holmr, low lying land by a river.
Mellingshaw Tower. Madingschaw 1508 (RSS); Maling-schaw 1510 (RGS); Malinshawe 1540 (Arms); Maling-shaw 1560 (A); Maillingschaw 1629 (RGS). “In Scotland, till recently, the name Melville was constantly confounded with the name Melvin, and the old charters often have Melin or Melling (1278 K.Ch.) for the name Melville. Melville is an old Norman name” (J). O.E. sceaga, a small wood.
Mere Beck. O.E. maere, a boundary; becc, a stream.
Middlegill. Midilkeuil 1315 (RGS); Middelgill 1581 (Sh. Bk.). N. methal, middle.
Moffat. Moffeth 1194 (Q); Moffet 1291 (RR); Moffete 1296 (RR); Moffath 1427 (RGS).
Mosshope. Meshope 1315 (RGS); Mossope 1581 (Sh. Bk.). O.E. hop, a small hollow among the hills.
Mount Joe. Old W. monijo, hill ground.
Nowtrig Head. O.E. neat, cattle; hrycg, a ridge.
Nubbery Moss. Nubbery, the Knoutberry or Cloudberry (SDD).
Ostler Burn.
Pirnie Rig. Pirnie, striped. O.E. hrycg, a ridge.
Polmoodie. Polmoody 1519 (A). G. poll, the stream; madaidh, of the dog or wolf.
Pot Burn. Pot, a pit; a deep hole or cavity especially in the bed of a river; a hole from which peats have been dug (SDD).
Quaa Sike. Quaa, a quagmire (SDD).
Raecleuch. O.E. or N. ra, a roe deer.
Rickle Gill. Rickie, a loose heap; a low stone fence built before a drain (SDD).
Rivox Revwaus 1315 (RGS); Revox 1611 (RGS). G. riabhach, brindled.
Ruegrain. O.E. ruh, rough; N. grein, a fork, used of a small valley opening out of a larger.
Ruffus. Ruffes 1581 (Sh. Bk.).
Runstanefoot. 1807 (VR).
Ruttonside. Rowtansyde 1629 (RGS); Routounsyde 1807 (VR); Rootinside (VR). O.E. hrutan, to make a loud noise.
Sailfoot. O.E. sealh, willow.
Scaw’d Law. Scaw’d, used of land having bare brown patches; connected with M.E. scored, cut, scored; O.E. hlaw, a hill.
Seavy Sike. N. sef, sedge.
Selcoth. Selcouith 1629 (RGS).
Skelly Cleuch. N. skali, a shepherd’s summer hut.
Skirtle Craig.
Steinstane. N. steinn, stone.
Stot Knowe. O.E. stot, a horse or bullock.
Stotfield Gill. O.E. stodfald, stud enclosure.
Swate Fell. N. swaith, bare, rocky ground; N. fjall, a hill.
Talla Nick.
Tarnberry. N. tarn, a spring; N. berg, a hill.
Three Bouatas of Land. 1371 (RM). A bovate was the same as an Oxgang. It was a measure of land, originally the amount which an ox team could plough in a year. This definition is given in Wiltshire Doomsday and pre-p101sumably means the amount they could plough in the ordinary way of cultivation. It varied from io to 25 acres according to the nature of the soil. (EPN. Yorks. N.R.).—See Note 1.
Throw Brow. Throw, through, affording a route (SDD). G. bruach, a brink or hill.
Torr Hill—High Torr. O.E. or G. torr, a high rock, a rocky peak.
Trinkland Knowes. Trink, a trench, narrow drain (SDD). Trowgrain. O.E. treo, a tree, or, trog, a trough, conduit; it might also be N. troll, a goblin; N. grein, a fork, a small valley opening out of a larger.
Type Knowe-Black Type. Type, hard labour, accompanied by much walking (SDD).
Urchin Knowe. Urchin, a hedgehog.
Whirly Gill. Whirly, a whirlpool (SDD).
Yadburgh Hill. Probably a personal name and O.E. beorg, a hill.
Yoke Knowe.
MORTON
Bellybochd. Balybucht 1371 (RM); Billiboucht 1456 (Q); Bellebeth 1484 (RGS); Bellebot 1537 (Sh. Bk.). G. baile, the house; bochd, of the poor folk.
Lie Buscheyaird. 1587 (RGS). Bush in old Scots meant a wood consisting of oak and birch (CPN). O.E. geard, a yard, enclosure.
Carron. Karron 1660 (Bl). Br. kars, rough, harsh (CPN).
Clauchrie. Clachre 1498 (RSS). G. clachrach, a stoney place.
Clintycleuch. N. klint, the brow of a hill, a hard rock.
Clovyncude. 1376 (RM). The last syllable is probably W. coed, a wood.
Clowingalpacht. 1484 (RGS). G. cluain, a meadow; alpach, a high place.
Dabton. Debton 1329 (RM); Dobtoun 1376 (RM); Dob-p102toun 1660 (Bl); Dubtoun 1828. Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Drum. G. druim, a ridge.
Drumcork. Drumcork 1329 (RM); Drumcorke 1376 (RM); Drumcork 1565 (Q); Dryuymcorck 1660 (Bl). G. druim, the ridge; coirc, of the oats, corn.
Drumlour. G. druim, the ridge; lobhair, of the leper.
Drumshinnoch. Drumschenacht 1569 (Q); Drumschyn-nocht 1569 (Q). G. druim, the ridge; sionnaich, of the fox.
Erychemorton. 1329 (RM); Erismortoun 1376 (RM); Eirsmortoun 1580 (Sh. Bk.); Erschemortoun 1660 (Bl). Ersch, Irish, showing traces of early Irish settlers. See also Morton.
Gallabreck. O.E. gealga, gallows; N. brekka, a slope, hill.
Gallamuir. O.E. gealga, gallows; mor, waste land, but used more in the sense of swampy ground than the modern word moor.
Gatelaw. N. gata, a road, or, O.E. geit, a goat; hlaw, a hill.
Glengerrock. 1369 (Q). G. gleann carrach, rough glen.
Glenkode. 1374 (Q)* W. glyn coed, glen of the wood.
Glenleith. W. glyn Haith, damp glen.
Guffog. Personal name.
Judgement Thorn—Gallows Flat. Self explanatory; they were close together near Morton Castle.
Kettletonhead. Personal name Ketil, and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Laught. Laucht 1376 (RM), Lacht 1660 (Bl). G. leacht, a grave.
Laughtmuirside. See above.
Morton. Mortune in Stranit 1171 (K. Ch.); Mortun 1180 (K.Ch.). O.E. mor, waste land, but used more in the sense of swampy ground than the modern word moor; tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it. Morton was the castle of Dunegal of Stranit in the time of David I., 1124-1153.
Lie Preistishill. 1587 (RGS).
Routon Burn. O.E. hrutan, to make a loud noise.
Rushamdown. O.E. rysc, rush; dun, down, hill.
Sandrum. Sundrum 1470 (RGS). G. sean druim, old ridge.
Smurn Gutter. O.E. smeora, fat, used to denote rich pasture; gutter, a muddy stream.
Sware Burn. O.E. sweora, a neck, col.
Tansley Burn. Personal name Tana; O.E. leah, a forest clearing.
MOUSWALD
Aefur Bank. Steep land ploughed in one direction only.
Blountfield Moor. Probably a personal name.
Boddam. 1807 (V.R.). O.E. botm, bottom of a valley.
Breconrae. Beaconrig 1828. M.E. braken, bracken; N. vra, a corner, a piece of good land wedged in between useless land (S).
Brockhillhirst. O.E. brocc-hol, badger hole; hyrst, a small wood.
Bucklerhole. Buklerhol 1660 (Bl). Personal name and O.E. hoi, a hollow.
Burranhill. Baronhill 1807 (V.R.). O.E. burgaens, a burial place, and then any heap of loose stones.
Byebuss. 1807 (V.R.). Perhaps O.E. bi, by, viz., a settlement taking its name from some prominent object in the vicinity (EPN). Buss in old Scots meant a wood consisting of oak and birch (CPN).
Byeloch. See above.
Dodbeck. 1807 (V.R.).
Flaxfield. One of the many names in this area showing the extent to which flax used to be grown.
Herdil Hill. O.E. hierde, a shepherd.
Hesket Hill. N. hestaskeithi, a race course (EPN).
Hungry Hill. O.E. hungor, hunger; commonly used to denote places with poor pasture (EPN).
Ironhirst Moss. G. earrann hirt, portion of death, with reference to loss of cattle on the moss (CPN).
Mouswald. Mousswalde, Mousfald 1361 (Q); Mowswald 1511 (Q); Musefald; Moussel 1660 (Bl). O.E. mos, moss, bog; wald, used of forest land and more especially high forest land (EPN).
Mount Kedar
Pantath. Panchnat 1448 (Act of Scots Pari.); Pantwa 1448 (ditto); Panthuat 1511 (O); Panthawat 1516 (RGS); Panthet 1660 (Bl). The first syllable is probably a personal name; N. thveit, a forest clearing.
Pickbone Well
Raffles. Rafhols 1361 (Q); Raffulgill 1477 (Q); Roffellis J542 (RGS); Roffals 1660 (Bl). Personal name Hrafn; N. hoi, a hollow.
Robiewhat. Roberquhat 1542 (RGS); Robiequhat 1625 (RGS). Personal name Hroethbeorht or Hrodbeorht, the earlier form of Robert; N. thveit, a forest clearing.
Rockhall. Rokhill 1372 (Q); Rokel 1515 (O); Rocol 1660 (Bl). The modern name is probably a corruption of Rock Hill, the first syllable might also be O.E. hroc, a rook, or, used as a personal name.
Rokkelskarth. 1512 (RGS). See above. N. skarth, a cleft, a pass in a hill.
Shawrake Bridge. O.E. sceaga, a small wood; O.E. rak, a cattle road, hence a walk for cattle or sheep (S).
Stryal or Tryal Cairn. “Nigh to what is still called Deadmangill. At one of these places, tradition says, malefactors were tried and executed at the other.” Stat. Act.)
PENPONT
Arkland. Personal name Arnkell.
Auchenaight. Auchynawht 1369 (Q); Auchnacht 1376 (RM); Auchinach 1450 (Q). G. achadh, the field.
Auchenbainze. Auchbynbany 1369 (Q); Aucbinbany 1369 (Q); Achinvanzheis 1483 (A); Achinbanze 1510 (0). G. achadh na baine, untilled field. (Prof. Watson).
Auchinfathe. 1572 (A). G. achadh, the field; na faithche, of the green. (Prof. Watson.)
Auchengassel. Auchengasylle 1369 (Q); Achincaschill 1483 (A); Achingascil 1499 (Q); Auchingassil 15 2 6 (Q); Awchingashill 1563 (Arms); Auchingaschill 1572 (Q); Achingashills 1660 (Bl)- G. achadh, the field; na gcaiseal, of the bulwarks or stone forts.
Auchenknight.
Auchmath. 1450 (Q). G. achadh maith, good field.
Auchinnay. 1572 (Q).
Le Bagrav. 1450 (Q); The Bagraw 1451 (Q). Personal name Bacga or Bacca, and O.E. raw, row.
Balgears. 1572 (O). G. baile, a house; gearr, short.
Balgrayhill. 1572 (Q). G. baile graighe, house of the horse stud.
Batford. 1494 (RGS); Baitfurd 1574 (Q)- Bat, a holm; a river-island; low-lying land overflowed by floods (SDD).
Bilbow.
Birny Rig. Birny, covered with charred stems of heather. Bitchburn. Probably refers to its having been the haunt of wolves who bred there (CPN).
Botany Bay.
Brawnkevyll. 1450 (Q); Brawnkebyll 1450 (Q); Braunchevil 1451.
Cairnkinna. G. earn Cionaodfia, Kenneth’s cairn.
Cairnsalloch. G. earn saileach, cairn of the willows; it might also be G. salach, foul.
Carlinstane. N. kerling, an old woman.
Carnine. G. cathair, the fort; nighinn, of the maiden.
Chanlockfoot. Schanglokfute 1545 (RGS); Chanlochfute 1580 (RGS); Chaulofute 1581 (RGS); Chaulosit, Chaulosend 1581 (Q). G. seang loch, narrow loch.
Chauloheid. 1581 (RGS). See above.
Clongar. Klouchyngare 1369 (Q); Clonyngarth 1376 (RM); Clongare 1450 (Q); Clongar 1451 (Q); Cloyngavies 1572 (Q); Klongirk 1575 (RGS). G. cluain ghearr, short field.
Clonhie. Clonhe 1494 (RGS).
Clontopag. 1494 (RGS). G. cluain, the field; topach, having a top or tuft, probably referring to some small knowe.
Clough Craig. O.E. cloh, a glen.
Corse Cleuch. W. cors, a bog, or, G. crosg, a crossing. Gorsegates Road. For Corse see above. N. gata, a road. Craigbuie. G. creag bhuidhe, yellow crag.
Craigdasher. G. creag deisir, sun-racing crag (CPN).
Craigellan. G. creag ailbhinn, rocky crag.
Craigyntailze
Croftjane. Croftane 1512. O.E. croft, a small enclosure, in the north adjacency to a house is usually understood. The second part is a personal name.
Cunath. 1456 (Q). Perhaps W. cwn, high, or G. cumhann, narrow.
Dalgonar. Dawgonare 1528 (Trans. 1920); Dalgoner 1581 (RGS); Dalgonnour 1648; Dalgouner 1649; Dalgonir 1660 (Bl). G. dail gGonchobhair, Connor’s field, the g being used to eclipsis. G. conair, a path is possible. (Prof. Watson.)
Dalzean. Dazane 1545 (RGS); Dalzane 1581 (RGS). G. dailthean, fields.
Douwyn. 1369 (O); Dunvyn 1450 (Q); Dunbryn 1451 (O); Dumbine 1451 (Q).
Dowloch. G. dubh loch, black loch. The legend of the Dowloch is given in the New Statistical Account.[Note]
Druid Hall.
Drumeerie. G. druim iarach, western ridge. Drumwriggle.
Dunduff. Dundaff 1581 (RGS); Dunduff 1581 (Q). G. dun dubh, black fort.
Eccles. Eklis 1494 (RGS). G. eaglais, a church.
Fardingallan. Firdenalane 1450 (RGS). Allan’s farthing land. See Note 1.
Floors. Fluris 1537 (Trans. 1920). G. flur, a flower.
Foggie Hall. Foggy, mossy (SDD).
Glaid Burn. Glaid, a kite (SDD).
Glengar. G. gleann garbh, rough glen, or might be G. gar, shrubbery.
Glenmanna. Glenmannok 1542 (RGS); Glenmauno 1581 (Q); Glenmanno 1581 (RGS). G. gleann manach, monks’ glen.
Glenscoben.
Glenthirstane. Looks like Norse personal name Thor-steinn.
Glenwhargen. Glenquhargane 1581 (RGS); Glenquhargen 1828. G. gleann carraigein, glen of the little rock.
Grennan. Grenane 1526 (RGS). G. grianan, a sunny knoll. Hallburn—Hallscar. O.E. healh, a corner, recess; N. sker, a cliff.
Harestanes. O.E. har, old, grey, but also used in the sense of a boundary, as it probably is in this case.
Honeyhole.
Hurcheon Cleuch. Hurcheon, a hedgehog.
Jarney Burn.
Jock an’ the Horn.
Keb Hill. Keb, a sheep louse, or, a ewe that has born an immature lamb.
Knokbaen. 1369 (Q); Knocbane 1376 (RM). G. cnoc, a hill; ban, white.
Lamblair—Ewelair. O.E. leger, a lying place; originally a burial ground, the association with animals is quite modern (EPN).
Mahomela Burn.
Maliford. Mollothe furd 1593 (O); Mollyford 1828.
M‘Turk’s Cleuch.
Ox Hill. The name occurs twice within two miles.
Penpont. Penpunt 1200 (K.Ch.); Penpount 1369 (O); Pempinp 1575 (RGS); Panpunt 1660 (Bl). W. pen pont, bridge head (CPN). “It should be noted that pont, the Welsh word for a bridge, is derived from the Latin, probably through the monks who were great bridge builders. Nevertheless it has been thought that the art of bridge building was known at a very early period to p108the Gaelic nations and was subsequently lost” (T). Welsh is full of Latin loans taken from Roman Britain. (Prof. Watson).
Polgowan. G. poll gobhainn, the smith’s stream.
Polmullach Burn. G. poll mullach, the hill stream.
Polskeoch. Poskcocht 1573 (Q), Poilskeoch 1581 (RGS). G. poll sgitheach, stream of the hawthorn.
Polvagley.
Polvadoch. 1573 (Q). G. (aig a’) pholl bhadach (at) bushy stream.
Riddings Cleuch. O.E. hryding, a clearing in a wood.
Rough Naze. O.E. naess, a headland.
Stablegordon Knowe. O.E. stapol, a post, pillar; gor, dirt, mud; tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Starn Loch. Starn, a star, or a starling (SDD).
Thack Gair. Thack, thatch, or the materials for thatching; gair, a patch of green on a hillside.
Threapland. Le Threipland 1506 (RGS). M.E. threapian, to dispute, or the subject involved in such dispute.
Tibbers. Tybres 1369 (Q); Tybris 1401 (Q); Tyberis 1570 (Q). G. tiobar, a well.
Tippet Knowe. Tippat 1575 (RGS).
Tonagalyn. 1494 (RGS). May be G. ton ri gaillinn, backside to storm.
Welltrees Tappin.
RUTHWELL
Aiket. O.E. ac wudu, oak wood.
Bellridding. Belriddin 1660 (Bl); Bettridding 1828. Personal name and O.E. hryding, a clearing in a wood.
Bent Mote. O.E. mot, a meeting place, but as these were usually held on mounds the name has come to be applied to any earthen mound.
Bogle Den. Bogle, an apparition; O.E. den, either the lair of a wild beast or a woodland pasture for swine. It might also come from O.E. denu, a valley.
Bowerhouses. Bourhous 1660 (Bl). O.E. bur, a farm.
Brandthwaitstile. 1516 (RGS). Personal name Brandr; N. thveit, a forest clearing.
Catmad. 1446 (Q).
Cocklicks. Coklakis 1507 (RGS); Cocklaikis 1611 (RGS); Kockligs 1660 (Bl). “Cock-laik, i.e., cockpit; laik being a dialect word meaning sport” (S). N. leikr, play, sport, and then the place for such (EPN).
Cockpool. Cokpule 1507 (RGS); Koig Pool 1660 (Bl). W. coch pwll, red pool.
Comlongan. Cumlongenood 1438 (Q); Cumlungand 1452 (Q); Colnlungane 1477 (Q); Cunlungane 1507 (RGS); Collongayn 1511 (Q); Cumlongane Wod 1607 (Q). W. cwm, a valley; llongan, a smack, skiff. Though in modern times this explanation would appear out of place it appears quite reasonable when read, in conjunction with the quotation about Tinwald Isles (q.v.).
Cowgang. A measurement of land varying from io to 25 acres according to the nature of the soil (EPN Yorks N.R.). See Note 1.
Denbieyett. N. Danaby, the village of the Danes; O.E. geat, a gate.
Dockridding Wood. O.E. dok, dokke, a dock plant, also used as a personal name; hryding, a clearing in a wood.
Doup Braes. Doup, the buttocks.
Hayberry. Heyberry 1660 (Bl). O.E. haeg, a hedge, and then the land enclosed by such hedge, from this comes M.E. hay, part of a forest fenced off for hunting; O.E. beorg, a small hill.
Horseclose. Horsclos 1660 (Bl). Horse enclosure. “In early days there was need for an enclosure near a settlement in which the horses might be kept ready to be caught at a moment’s notice. Other enclosures might or might not exist; the horse-fold would be a primary necessity. Consequently it would be natural to give a name to any enclosure that resembled a horse-fold” (EPN Vol. 1, 151).
Howthat. Holthuayt 1194 (Q); Hultvhate 1452 (Q); Houth-p110wate 1446 (Q); Holtwait, Howthwat 1511 (Q); Howtaut 1526 (RGS); Holthwait 1543 (Q) 5 Howquhat 1544 (Q); Houthet 1660 (Bl). N. hoi, a hollow; thveit, a forest clearing.
Kirkstyle. Kirkstille 1525 (RGS); Kirkstyle 1625 (RGS); Kirkstyl 1660 (Bl). O.E. steall, a place, site, cattlestall. “At a place called Kirkstyle ancient records set forth that there was very long ago a preceptory belonging to the Knights of St. John where they had a place of worship and a burial ground . . . which, upon the extinction of the order, came into the possession of the Murrays of Cockpool.” (Stat. Act.)
Kirkyett. O.E. geat, a gate.
Knockhardy. G. cnoc, the hill; ceardaich, of the smithy.
Lairthat. Lerthat 1660 (Bl). N. leir, mud; thveit, a forest clearing.
Lochar Water and Moss. Lochir 1445 (Q). G. luachair, rushes.
Locharwood. Lohcwhoreuerd 1179 (REG); Lohcwhouerd 1181 (REG); Logharward 1296 (RR); Lochqhorwart 1408 (Q); Louchorwart 1411 (Q); Lochirwood 1463 (Q). O.E. weard, a watch, ward. “The watch or ward over the Lochar.” Along the coast was one of the few ways across the Moss in old days.
Meikle Twaithillis. 1516 (RGS). N. mikil thveit, the large forest clearing.
Mikilthroat. 1460 (RGS). N. mikil, large, the second part is doubtful.
Plans. W. Ilan, an enclosure.
Powhillon. Pouwhyll Burn 1660 (Bl.). G. poll, the sluggish stream; chuilinn, of the holly.
Pyehill. Pyhillis 1460 (RGS); Pyhill 1477 (Q), Pihyllis 1507 (RGS); Pilehill 1516 (RGS). Magpie hill.
Righed. 1460 (RGS).
Ruthwell. Rewel 1452 (RGS); Reuell 1477 (Q)> Ruvale 1507 (RGS); Ruthven 1542 (RGS); Ruvell 1607 (O); Riffell 1660 (Bl). O.E. rode well, the rood or cross well. p111Another derivation is from N. rudh vollr, fields of the clearing in the forest. (Trans. 1919).
Seaheuch Burn. O.E. sae, sea or lake; healh, a corner, recess, secret place.
Slethat. Slachquhat 1460 (RGS); Sclathwait 1507 (RGS); Slaithwait 1516 (RGS); Slathaut 1525 (RGS); Slaich-watts 1637 (RET); Sletthat 1660 (Bl). N. slakki, a shallow valley; thveit, a forest clearing.
Stanhope. O.E. stan, stone, hop, a hollow among the hills.
Stank. G. stang or Norman estanc, a pool or pond.
Stragglingwath Wood. The last syllable is N. vath, a ford, there seems to be no explanation for the first part.
Twathats. Twathwaitis 1499 (A); Tuaquhettis 1540 (RGS). The first part may be a pensonal name, and N. thveit, a forest clearing.
Wath Burn. Wath is a ford, “Ford Burn” seems a curious mixture of terms.
Whiltretcairn.
Wild Cat Knowe. Self explanatory.
Willow Burn. Probably a corruption from Powhillon, ante.
ST. MUNGO
Abermelc. 1116 (REG). Br. aber, a confluence. This is one of the two places where the word aber occurs in Dumfriesshire, the other being Aberlosk, Eskdalemuir. See Milk.
Birkshaw. O.E. bierce, birch; sceaga, a small wood.
Blindman s Hill.
Breckonhill. M.E. braken, bracken.
Brocklerig. Brockholrig 1660 (Bl). O.E. brocc-hol, badger-hole; hrycg, a ridge.
Castlemilk. Casthelmilc 1170 (REG); Castelmilc 1181 (REG); Castel Mylke 1398 (Arms). See Milk.
Cowdens. Coldanis 1448. G. colltuinn, hazel (CPN). See Note 2.
Ettrickholm. I. etrice, a small stream.
Gallarig. O.E. gealga hrycg, gallows ridge.
Howcleuch. O.E. hoi, a hoTlow.
Hungry Hill. O.E. hungor, hunger, used to denote places with poor pasture.
Hurkleburn. Hurkle, lazy, slovenly, unpleasant (SDD).
Kettleholm. Personal name Caittil or Kettil.
Mellantae.
Middleshaw. Medilschaw 1517 (Q); Middilschaw 1625 (RGS). O.E. middel, middle; sceaga, a small wood.
Milk. “It may stand for an early Malcia, to be compared with G. male, putrefy” (CPN). There is also O.E. meofc, used of good pasturage, or turbidity.
St. Mungo. “The Gracious.” A name for St. Kentigern. In 1116 the lands belonged to the Bishopric of Glasgow, and the parish was called Abermelc (REG). In 1170 the name was changed to Castlemilk, subsequently the church was dedicated to St. Mungo and that name was given to the parish.
Skellyholm. N. skali, a hut.
Sorrasike. Souresike 1510 (RGS); Sorow-syick 1660 (Bl); Sorrysike 1807 (V.R.). N. saur, sour, swampy ground.
Trindle. 1807 (V.R.). O.E. trynde, a round hump.
SANQUHAR
Auchenbarrow. G. achadh, the field; an barrach, of the brushwood, or bearraidh, of the shearing.
Auchengruith. Auchingreuth 1538 (Q). G achadh, the field; an ghruith, of the curds.
Auchensow. Auchinsow 1538 (Q); Achinsow 1660 (Bl). G. achadh, the field; na subh, of the raspberries.
Auchentaggart. Auchintaggart 1581 (RGS); Achintag-gart 1660 (Bl). G. achadh, the field; an t-sagairt, of the priest.
Barnarigh. G. barr, the hill-top; an ruighe, of the outstretched part of a mountain, or, of the summer resort for cattle.
Benzien Craig. Drumbrenzeane 1558 (RGS). G. binnein, a little peak.
Blacadye. 1580 (RGS).
Blacklorg Hill. Possibly G. lorg, a path.
Blairin Cleuch. Blairin, ground on which peats are spread out to dry, or where flax was dried (SDD).
Blairy Burn. See above.
Blawearie.
Brandleys. Personal name and O.E. leah, a forest clearing. Brekach. Bracoch 1541; Bracath 1555 (Q); Brakoche 1563 (Q); Brekauche 1581 (Q). G. breacach, a dappled place (CPN).
Breckeny Cleuch. M.E. braken, bracken.
Brockholm. O.E. brocc, a badger.
Bught Hass. Bught, a sheep or cattle fold; N. hals, a connecting ridge, a pass.
Wee Black Carli—Big Black Carli—Green Carli. (Three burns). Carli, a little man, a precocious boy (SDD).
Castelgilmoir. 1538 (Q). G. caisteal, a castle, and personal name.
Clackleith. W. clog, a cliff, rock; W. lleithio, to moisten.
Clannach Knowe. G. clannach, bushy.
Clenries. Clenry 1660 (Bl). G. claon, sloping; ruigh, the outstretched part of a mountain.
Cog Burn. Coggisfute 1541 (RGS); Cogg 1660 (Bl). Cog, a basin.
Conrig—Conrick. G. comhrag, a confluence (CPN).
Corsnavock. 1558 (RGS). G. crosg, a crossing.
Cowan Burn. G. cobhan, a hollow.
Craigdarroch. G. creag darach, crag of the oak.
Craigiedhu. W. craig ddu, black crag.
Cramley Knowe. O.E. crumb, crooked; leah, a forest clearing.
Crawick. W. caer Rywc, Rywc’s fort (CPN).
Crochley Shank. G. cruach, a hill; hath, grey; O.E. sceanga, a projecting tongue of land.
Dalmet Hill. G. dail, a meadow; no clue to the second part.
Dalpeddar. Dalpedyr 1471 (Q); Dalpeddir 1506 (Q); Dal-peddyre 1660 (Bl). G. dail, a meadow; “Peter's meadow.”
Deil’s Dyke. An earthwork which runs from Loch Ryan to the Nith, the place marked as Deil’s Dyke at Lochmaben has no connection.
Dinan. W. din, a fort.
Dragoon s Meadow.
Druidle Hill.
Drumbuie. G. druim buidhe, yellow ridge.
Dunnin Hill. G. dunan, a fort.
Duntercleuch. Duntergleugh 1660 (Bl). Dunter, a fuller of cloth, or used as a personal name.
Earl’s Seat.
Eliock. Elyoc 13 2 0 (RGS); Eleock 1464; Eliok 15 80. G. ailbheach, a stoney place.
Euchan Head.
Farding Molloch. Farthing as a measurement of land; G. mullach, a hill. See Note 1.
Feuchaw Burn. Freuchauch 1558 (RGS). G. fraochach, heathery.
Fingland. G. finn glend, white or fair glen (CPN).
Flosh Burn. M.E. flosshe, a marshy place.
Garpal Burn. G. garbh poll, rough stream.
Glenauchtrie. G. gleann uachdarach, glen of the upper land.
Glenbraith. G. gleann Breatan, the Britons’ glen.
Glenbuie. G. gleann buidhe, yellow glen.
Glenclach. G. gleann clach, glen of the stone, probably referring to some conspicuous stone.
Glencrieff. G. gleann craoibhe, glen of the tree.
Glendauchen. Possibly G. gleann dachaidhean, glen of the dwelling places, but rather doubtful.
Glendorch. G. gleann dorcha, dark, mysterious glen.
Glendulion. G. gleann dubhliunn, melancholy glen, or, dubh linne, black pool.
Glendyne. W. glyn ddwfn, deep glen.
Glenearn. Earn, ‘the possibilities being many a definite etymology cannot be suggested” (ERN).
Glengaber. G. gleann gabar, goats’ glen.
Glengap.
Glengart. G. gleann gart, gloomy, threatening looking glen.
Glengenny.
Glenglass. Glenglas 1558 (RGS). G. gleann glais, glen of the stream, or gleann glas, green glen.
Glenharrow. G. gleann na-h-airbhe, glen of the dividing wall or boundary.
Glenim. Glennym 1528 (RGS); Glennimm 1660 (Bl). G. gleann ime, glen of butter.
Gleninshaw. G. gleann uinnsinn, glen of the ash tree.
Glenlarie. Glenlary 1558 (RGS). May be G. gleann laraigh, glen of the ruin-site, or laire, of the mare. (Prof. Watson).
Glenlaught. G. gleann leacht, glen of the grave.
Glenlosk. W. glyn llusog, glen full of bushes, or, G. gleann loisgte, burnt glen.
Glenmaddie. G. gleann madaidh, glen of the wolf.
Glenmarchhope. O.E. mearc, a boundary; hop, a small hollow among the hills.
Glenmicht.
Glenrae. G. gleann reidh, smooth glen.
Glensalloch. G. gleann saileach, glen of the willows.
Glenwhern. G. gleann caorruinn, glen of the rowan.
Haughgoat Burn. O.E. healh, a corner, recess, hidden place; goat, a drain, ditch, deep boggy place (SDD).
Inch Cleuch. G. innis, an island or meadow.
Kemp’s Castle. Kemp occurs in the literature of both England and Scotland from a very early period in the sense of a great warrior or champion.
Knockconey Dod. G. cnoc connaidh, hill of the fuel; dod, a bare round hill.
Knockenhair. Knokinhair 1558 (RGS); Knok in haire 1660 (Bl). G. cnoc na h-aire, hill of the watch, or, watch hill (CPN).
Linpen Burn.
Lochley. G. loch Hath, grey loch.
Magheuchan Burn. G. magh, a plain; no clue to the rest.
Mar Burn. This name is a trace of the time when this part belonged to the Earls of Mar, about the 13th cent. The name Mar was a British personal name (CPN).
Mennock Water. Minnock 1660 (Bl). G. meineach, abounding in ore or mines.
Miniard. G. mionard, little height.
Minny E’ Burn.
Pamphy Linn. Pamphil, a small enclosure for cattle made with stakes; a small house; O.E. hlynn, a torrent, waterfall, pool.
Peden’s Cave.
Pikieston Burn. Personal name Pica; O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Polmaron Burn.
Polsalloch. G. poll saileach, willow stream, or, salach, foul.
Polshiel Burn. G. poll, a sluggish stream; M.E. schele, a hut.
Poltallan Burn.
Polvaird Burn. G. poll a’ bhaird, the bard’s stream.
Powmorrick. W. pwll, a stream; personal name Meurig.
Reecleuch. Ree, a sheepfold, an enclosure for cattle (SDD).
Reeves Burn. Reeve, a cattle pen (SDD).
Sanquhar. Sanchar 1466 (Q); Sangquhare 1485 (A); Sawcher 1568 (BM). G sean chathair, old fort (CPN).
Slough Hill. O.E. sloh, a bog.
The Slunks. Slunk, a quagmire (SDD).
Snarhead Hill. Snar, severe (SDD).
Sowen Burn. G. samhan, a kind of juniper.
Stitchen Cleuch.
Sweat Cleuch.
Thwarter Burn. Thwarter, across, transverse.
Tod Sware Knowe. Tod, a fox, from N. toddi, a bunch of wool; O.E. sweora, a neck, col.
Torr Heads. G. torr, a hill, rocky peak.
Big Torry Burn.
Troston. W. traws, across; O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it (CPN).
Twenty Shilling. A measurement of land. See Note i.
Ulzieside. Ulzie, oily.
Waldtree Knowe. The Waltreis 1581 (RGS).
Wanlockhead. Winlocke 1566 (CBP). Perhaps G cuingealach, narrowness, a narrow place.
Wham Rig. O.E. hwamm, a short valley surrounded by high ground, a marshy hollow.
Whing Burn. G. cuing, a narrow, a gut, usually in a stream and always in connection with water (CPN).
TINWALD
Amisfield. Hempisfield 1175 (A); Amnysfelde 1360 (Mel. Ch.); Amysfeyld 1502 (Q); Emesffeildi 1583 (CBP); Hempsfiell or Amisfeeld 1660 (Bl). It looks as if there were two old names attached to the place, one from O.E. henep, hemp, the other probably a personal name.
Auchencrieff. G. achadh, the field; na craoibhe, of the tree.
Auchenflowerhill.
Auchenkeld.
Auchenladder. G. achadh, the field; an ladair, of the mill-lade.
Auchnane.
Barr. Barresbrig of Tynualde 1477 (Q). Belzies. Probably connected with Bale, a bonfire. Blairhall Burn. G. blar, a plain, field.
Blind Lochs. This may be connected with Blindethuayt p118 1218 (Q), the clearing of a person called Blind, or, “The Blind.’’ Dr Sedgefield gives Blind as a personal name. Bow Linn. G. bo, a cow; linne, a pool.
Carse of Ae. W. cors, a bog; in modern use it means a stretch of flat, fertile land by a river. For Ae see Kirk-michael.
Cnoculeran. 1218 (O).
Cotlandhill. O.E. cot, a cottage.
Cowshaw. Cousha 1660 (Bl). O.E. cu sceaga, cow wood.
Crochmade.
Dalruscan. Dalleruskane 1315 (RGS); Dalruscane 1379 (RM). G. dail, the meadow; rusgain, of the little marsh.
Delvinebrae. G. dail flonn, white meadow; braigh, a brae. Drumereioch. 1180 (Mel. Ch.) and 1246 (K.Ch.). Always coupled with Trailflat. G. druim, the ridge; possibly eireachda, of the assembly.
Fulton. O.E. ful, foul, muddy; tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Gall Moss. Gall, a wet unfertile spot in a field (SDD). Glenae. “Glen of the River Ae.” For Ae see Kirkmichael. Hardbush. O.E. heord, a flock. Bush in old Scots meant a wood consisting of oak and birch (CPN).
Hecket Hill. Hecket, a hay rack. (SDD).
Holehouse. O.E. hoi, a hollow.
Kenean Hill. G. ceanfhionn, white headed.
Lawridding. O.E. hlaw, a hill; hryding, a patch of cleared land.
Linyardbrae. Lint, flax.
Meg’s Hirst. Meg, a woman; O.E. hyrst, a thick wood.
Murder Loch.
Murthat or Deil’s Dyke. “This is really a stratified formation of sand and gravel utterly different .... from the Dyke proper.” (Report of the Hist. Monuments Commission).
Pumpland Burn. G. pump five, i.e., land divided into fifths (CPN).
Rorie. Personal name. There was a Rory among the list p119 of hostages who were kept at Lochmaben in 1297. Eleven hostages were confined in the Castle in 1297 but by 1300 only one of them was still alive (D and G).
Skipmire, O.E. sceap, sheep; N. myrr, mire, used of swampy moorland. The first syllable is a Norse form of the word where sk- has replaced O.E. sc- owing to the Norse not being able to pronounce the sound.
Smidholm. O.E. smethe, smooth.
Tinwald. Tynualde 1477 (O); Tynvald 1522 (Q); Tyniall 1550 (Arms); Tenoll 1570; Tynhill, Tynwall 1577 (Sh. Bk.); Tyndell 1660 (Bl). The first syllable is probably from O.E. tynan, to enclose, but from its situation it is possible it comes from the same root O.E. thinan, as the River Tyne, giving the general meaning of water, river (ERN Tyne). O.E. wald, forest land.
Tinwald Isles. G. iosal, a meadow. “Tinwald Isles are said, in a Spanish history, to have been the best harbour in Scotland” (Stat. Act). Tinwald Isles is not shown on the O.S. 1 in. map, but on the 1828 map is shown as close to Tinwald Downs.
Tomshield. G. tom, a knoll, thicket; M.E. schele, a hut.
Trailflat. Traverflet 1165 (K.Ch.); Traverflat 1180 (K.Ch.); Traverfleth 1180 (K.Ch.); Trauerflet 1260 (K.Ch.). W. tref yr, the farm of, or, tref ar, farm near (CPN). In pre-reformation days the church belonged to the Abbev of Kelso and was united to Tinwald in 1650 (Fasti Ecclesiae). “One of the most extensive bleachfields in Scotland is carried on at Trailflat.” (Stat. Act.)
TORTHORWALD
Barlouth. Barliuth 1660 (Bl); Barluith (V.R.). G. barr, a hill-top; fliuch, wet. See Note 2.
Basket.
Bellridding. Personal name and O.E. hryding, a patch of cleared land.
Boytath. Boisteta 1330 (EHD); Boytatche 1635 (RET). If p120the old name is correct it is obviously a corruption of French bois tete, wood head.
Branetrig. O.E. brant, steep; hrycg, a ridge.
Cocketfield. Cokat 1511 (Q); Coket 1516 (RGS). O.E. cocc wudu, cock wood.
Collin. Culyn 1320 (RGS); Coulyn 1363 (Q); Convyne 1370 (RGS); Koullyin 1660 (Bl). G. cuilionn, holly.
Dargavel. Dergauel 1220 (Mel. Ch.); Dargavell 1631 (RGS); Dongeuil 1660 (Bl). G. doire, the copse; gabhail, of the fork.
Drumbreg. Drumbeg 1492 (RGS). G. druim beag, small ridge.
Drummuir. G. druim muir, ridge of the wall or fortified place.
Gairloch. G. gearr loch, short loch.
Garrs. Garr, mud (SDD).
Glenclair. G. gleann clair, glen of the planks, i.e., plank bridges.
Oxgang. Lie Oxgang 1550 (RGS). A measurement of land. See Note 1.
Pierbank.
Poindfold Well. Poindfauld, a pound, enclosure for strays (SDD).
Racks. N. rak, a cattle route.
Rockhallhead. Roklenheid 1529 (RGS); Rokelheid 1580 (RSS). For Rockhall see Mouswald.
Roucan. Roucan 1316 (Q); Ruchane 1363 (Q); Buchane 1370 (RGS); Buchan 1370 (RGS); Rowton 1370 (RGS); Rowcan 1436 (Q). G. ruadhan, a mineral scum that collects on the surface of water.
Rough Cleuch. Rouka 1660 (Bl).
Ryemuir. Either N. rjothr, glen in the forest, or, O.E. ryge, rye; O.E. mor, waste land, but used more in the sense of swampy land than the modern word moor.
Steel Moss. O.E. steall a site, place, cattlestall.
Tinlaw. W. din, a fort; O.E. hlaw, a hill.
Torthorwald. Torthoraud 1290 (RR); Torthorald 1291 p121(RR); Torthorald 1304 (Q); Tortarrell 1585 (CBP). O.E. torr, a hill; personal name Thorvaldr. A charter was granted by the King “erecting the toun of Torthorwald in all tyme coming to be callit the toun of Cairleill.” 1473 (Q)-
Trabeattie. W. tref yr, the farm of, or, tref ar, farm near; the second part is unknown.
Wath. N. vath, a ford.
TUNDERGARTH
Capel Burn. G. capull, a horse; might be G. caibeal, a chapel, if there is any record of a chapel ever having been there.
Carling Syke. N. kerling, an old woman.
Cattsbutt. 1807 (V.R.).
Courstein.
Craighousestead Hill. Craghous 1504 (RGS); Craig-houss 1540 (Arms); Crack’s House Stead 1828. Self explanatory.
Crandaldyke. 1504 (RGS). O.E. cran, a crane, more usually it refers to a heron; dael, a valley; die, a ditch.
Crawthwaite. Crathats 1807 (V.R.). O.E. craw, a crow, but also used as a personal name; N. thveit, a forest clearing.
Creiff. 1611 (RGS); Crieve 1807 (V.R.). G. craoibh, a tree.
Cutty Sike. Cutty, short (SDD). G. cutach, short.
Dassfauld. Dass, a stratum of stones, a small landing place. O.E. fald, a fold, but not confined, as it usually now is, to a sheepfold.
Dirleton. 1807 (V.R.).
Foulraw. 1807 (V.R.). O.E. ful, foul, muddy; raw, row. Friar Edge. Origin unknown. See Pappert Hill.
Glaister Burn. G. glas, green; tir, land.
Grange. A barn or granary (SDD). From this it has come to mean a farm.
Hazelberry. Le hessilschaw 1488 (RGS). O.E. haesel, hazel. The old name was sceaga, a small wood, now, beorg, a hill.
Hen Hill.
Marloch. Mearcleuch 1807 (V.R.). O.E. maere, a boundary; lacu, a stream.
Paddockhole. Paddock, a small farm, or a frog (SDD).
Pappert Hill. The second syllable is probably W. perth, a copse (CPN). The first may be connected with N. papar, a priest, the two adjoining hills are Friar Edge and Priest Butts.
Pearsbyhall. Perisbe 1200 (Mel. Ch.); Perisby 1249 (R.M.); Perisbehawes 1555 (A); Peirrisbie 1611 (RGS); Peirsbre 1612 (RGS). Personal name and N. by, a farm.
Pennyholm. A measurement of land. See Note 1.
Perceiving Burn. Possibly similar derivation to the next name.
Percy Cleuch. May be a part translation of G. an chlais phreasaigh, the copsy cleuch. (Prof. Watson.)
Pleamoss. Plea, a lawsuit, the subject of a lawsuit, or the place where a lawsuit is heard (SDD).
Powhaffet. G. poll, a sluggish stream; possibly ghab-haidh, dangerous.
Priest Butts. Priestbuttis 1611 (RGS). Origin unknown, see Pappert Hill, ante. Butts, the word is first found in M.E. and means a mound (EPN V.I., p. 159).
Pyatshaw. Pyat, a magpie; O.E. sceaga, a small wood.
Rynshill or Ravenshill. Self explanatory.
Scalehill. N. skali, a hut.
Scroggs. A stunted shrub or bush; a thorn bush; land covered with stunted bushes or undergrowth (SDD).
Seavy Sike. N. sef, sedge.
Tanker’s Gill.
Tath Cleuch. Taythbank 1488 (RGS). Tath, the luxuriant grass grown on manured land.
Tundergarth. Tonnergayth 1200 (Mel. Ch.); Tunregeyth, Thuregeyth 1327 (REG); Tunnergarth 1349 (0); Tunir-p123girth 1411 (Q); Tolnagargh 1510 (RGS); Tunnergairt 1564 (Q.); Tynnergarth 1578 (Q). It may be either from O.E. tynan, to enclose, tunde, being the past participle; N. garthr, an enclosure; or from G. ton ri gaoith, backside to the wind.
The following is from Fasti Ecclesiae—“It is related of W. Thomson, minister in 1691, that he began his sermon by saying he had dreamed he had met the devil, who told him he was going to Tundergarth sacrament. “An what are you gaun to do there?” “I expect some prey to-day,” says he; but I tauld him he suldna get ane except John o’ Kipel-fit, and if he wad lead my peats he suldna hae him either. Let us now begin to the subject of the day.”
Wylliehole. Vilchole 1555 (A). O.E. welig, wylig, a willow; hoi, a hollow.
TYNRON
The Aiks. O.E. ac, an oak.
Aird Loch. Ardis 1526 (RGS). G. ard, a height, high Allan’s Cairn.
Appin Land. Awpyn 1511 (RGS); Apins 1660 (Bl). G. apuinn, abbacy, hence abbey lands (CPN).
Auchenbrack. Aghenbrekis 1374 (Q); Auchinbrek 1450 (O); Achinbrek 1451 (RGS); Auchenbrak 1452; Achin-braik 1660 (Bl). G. achaidhean, fields; breac, spotted.
Auchengibbert. Achingibbert 1660 (Bl). G. achadh, the field; an tiobairt, of the well.
Auchengower. G. achadh, the field; nan gobhar, of the goats.
Auchenhessnane.- Auchinhesne 1593 (Q); Auchenhessnines 1807 (V.R.).
Auchenlaw. G. achadh, the field; na, of; I. lagh, the hill. “The word is not given in dictionaries, but it undoubtedly exists in the Irish language, and has given names to a considerable number of places through the p124country.” (H.M. quoting from “The origin of Irish names of places” by P. W. Joyce, LL.D.).
Bail Hill. Bale, a bonfire (SDD). O.E. bael. See Note 2.
Bennan. Bennan 1374 (Q); Bennana 1541; Bennem 1660 (Bl). G. beannan, a small hill.
Cairneycroft. Either a personal name, or, the croft full of cairns. O.E. croft, a small enclosure, in the north adjacency to a house is usually understood (EPN).
Camling. Camling 1538 (Sh. Bk.); Kamling 1660 (Bl). G. cam linne, winding pool.
Clochquhanoch Burn. Clochquhannoch 1511 (RGS). G. clach, a stone; canach, of the tax; or, cloch chanaigh, stone of the cotton-grass.
Clodderoch.
Clonrae. Clonre 1660 (Bl). G. cluain, a meadow; reidh, smooth.
Corfardine. Corforlyn 1374 (Q). G. curr, an end, a pit; feoirlinn, a farthing; “Farthing land,” as a measurement of land.
Cormilligan. Cormyligane 1511 (RGS); Cormilligane 1512 (Sh. Bk.); Kormulligei 1660 (Bl). G. curr, an end, a pit; mollachan, a hillock, or the personal name Maolagan.
Cormunnoch. G. curr, an end, a pit.
Corrodow. Corrochdowis 1511 (RGS); Crowchdow 1512; Corochdow 1513; Kordow 1660 (Bl). G. corrach, a marshy plain; dubh, black.
Countam. G. con, a hound; tom, a knoll. The countom was the knoll or hill on which the hounds were held on leash till ready to be slipped. (Prof. Watson).
Craigencoon. Craigincwn 1531 (RGS); Craigincwne 1573 (Q); Craiginkunne 1581 (O); Craigincunis 1581 (Q); Kraiginkum 1660 (Bl). G. creagan, the little crag; cum-hainn, of the defile.
Craigenhitt. 1807 (V.R.). G. creagan, the little crag, or, creag an, the crag of; no clue to last syllable.
Craigillar. G. creag iolaire, eagle’s crag.
Craignee. Cragly 1475; Craignie 1520 (Sh. Bk.); Kraigny 1660 (Bl). G. creag an fheidh, crag of the deer.
Craigshanzenoch. 1581 (RGS). G. creag sean aonach, crag of the old assembly places, or, of the solitary place.
Craigskean. G. creag sgine, knife cut crag.
Craigturra. G. creag turaid, turret crag; or, creag turadh, fair weather crag, it might have been a weather sign.
Croglin. Croghelyn 1374 (Q); Crogling 1511 (RGS); Croiglin 1541 (Sh. Bk.).
Dalmakerran. Dalmakeran 1315 (RGS); Dalmacurane 1511 (RGS); Balmacurane 1573 (Sh. Bk.); Damma-curane 1579; Dalmackbren 1660 (Bl). G. dail Mac Ciaran, field of Ciaran’s sons.
Darquharren. 1511 (Q); Dalquhargzeane 1511 (Q); Dawherny 1568 (BM); Dalquhirne 1568 (BM); Dalwharn 1660 (Bl). G. dail carraigein, the meadow of the little crag.
Dempster’s Burn. Personal name. For Dempster see Dunscore.
Doine. 1566 (Sh. Bk.); Done 1807 (V.R.). Possibly O.E.; dun, a hill, down, often used of a very slight hill (EPN).
Gled Brae. Gled, a kite.
Glencarrok. 1528 (RGS). G. gleann carrach, rough glen.
Glencross. Glencorse 1528 (RGS). G. gleann croisg, glen of the crossing, or of the cross.
Glenmarlin. G. gleann marla, glen of the marble.
Halfmark. A measurement of land. See Note 1.
Hell’s Cauldron.
Hulton Burn. O.E. hyll tun, hill farm, literally, enclosure with dwellings on it.
Killywarren. Kilhevarren 1609 (RGS); Keily Warran 1660 (Bl). Might be either G. coille a’ bharain, the baron’s wood, or, coille gharain, wood of the undergrowth.
Kilnmark. Kilmark 1660 (Bl). O.E. cyln, a kiln; mark, as a measurement of land. See Note 1.
Kirkconnel Burn—St. Connel’s Chapel—Connel’s p126Well. Kyrcunel in Valle de Nyth 1327 (REG). See Holywood.
Knockelly. G. cnoc ailbhe, hill of the rock.
Kraigturburn. 1660 (Bl). G. creag tuir, crag of the tower.
Lagluff. G. lagan, a hollow.
Laight. G. leacht, a grave.
Lamgarrock. G. lann, land; an enclosure; carrach, rough.
Lannhall. Lawn 1511 (RGS); Lawn 1660 (Bl). G. lann, land, an enclosure.
Lockerty Bog. G. luachair, a rush.
Lockerty Sheuchs. G. luachair, a rush; N. skogr, a wood.
Magmalloch Burn. Margmalloch 1511 (RGS). G. marg, a mark, as a measurement of land; mallaichte, accursed See Note 1.
Maqueston. Queatstoun 1511 (RGS); Macquyestoun 1548; Makquhorkistoun 1575 (RGS); Mackuyatstoun 1660 (Bl); Marqueston 1807 (V.R.). Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Margmonie. Markmanny 1511 (RGS); Margmanie 1566; Markmony (V.R.). G. marg monadh, the hill-ground markland. See Note 1.
Margnaroch. 1660 (Bl). G. marg, a markland. See Note 1.
Margragoch. 1511 (RGS); Markraigoch 1660 (Bl). G. marg creagach, rocky markland. See Note 1.
Margwastane. 1511 (RGS); Margwaston 1660 (Bl). G. marg, a markland. See Note 1.
Markreach. G. marg, the markland; reachd, of the law or statute, or, of great sorrow. See Note 1.
Mounthoolie Bridge.
Mountrascal. G. monadh raschoill, hill of the brushwood.
Pagan’s Thorn.
Parfin. Br. par, a portion of land; G. fionn, white.
Pingarie. Pynzerie 1577 (Sh. Bk.); Pinnarie 1579; Pingyearie 1588 (Lincluden Ch.); Penarie 1609 (RGS); Peinry 1660 (Bl). G. peighinn, the pennyland; iaraigh, westerly.
Powgon. 1581 (RGS); Pogarn 1660 (Bl). G. poll, a sluggish stream.
Scaur River. Scharre 1369 (Q); Skar 1660 (Bl). G. sgor, a mark, a notch.
Shinnel Water. Schynnylle 1369 (Q); Schinnel or Shen Aid 1660 (Bl). Possibly the last form represents the original name, viz., G. sean allt, the old river.
Stellbrae. O.E. steall, a place, site, in the north refers to enclosures of stone; G. braigh, upland.
Stenhouse. Stanehous 1511 (RGS); Stonhuis 1660 (Bl). Self explanatory.
Stonefaulds. O.E. fald, a fold, but not confined, as it usually now is, to an enclosure for sheep.
Strathmilligan. Stronmullig 1660 (Bl). G. srath, a valley, and personal name Maolagan. The personal name appears as Macrath ap Molegan 1291 (RR).
Tanelagoch. 1511 (RGS); Tonloch 1660 (Bl); Tanlego 1807 (V.R.). G. tanalach, shallow water.
Thistlemark. Thristemark 1511 (RGS). Mark as a measurement of land. See note 1.
Thorter Cleuch. Thorter, across.
Transparra. (A hill).
Troston Hill. W. traws, across; O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Tynron. Tynrone 1537 (Sh. Bk.); Tyndron 1541; Tyndron 1660 (Bl). W. din rhon, lance fort (Trans. 1923).
Tynron Doon. For Tynron see above. O.E. dun, a down, a hill, often with a very slight slope.
WAMPHRAY
Aitkieknow. 1807 (V.R.).
Alais Knowe.
Bield. A shelter.
Birny Gill. Birny, covered with charred stems of heather, or might be G. braonaigh, a wet place.
Blaze Hill. Bleise 1448 (Act of Scots Pari.); Bleis 1610 p128(RGS); Blisses 1621 (RGS). Bleis, a signal made by fire (Ja). One of the beacon hills. See Note 2.
Cacrabank. Perhaps N. kraka, a crow.
Cammock Knowe. G. camach, a bent place.
Catcleuch. Self explanatory.
Clatter Burn. Self explanatory.
Coomb Burn. O.E. cumb, a valley.
Cowan Fell. G. cobhan, a hollow; N. hall, a hill.
Criffel.
Crookedside Selenders The second word should probably read “sclenders,” i.e., the face of a hill covered with loose stones (SDD).
Dernholmshaw. 1807 (V.R.). O.E. derne, secret, hidden, used doubtless of that which one comes upon unexpectedly (EPN).
Dod’s Croft. Dod, a familiar form of George (SDD). O.E. croft, a small enclosure, in the north adjacency to a house is usually understood (EPN).
Donnal’s Grain. Personal name and N. grein, a fork, a small stream opening out of a larger.
Dundoran. G. dun, the hill, hill-fort; dobhrain, of the otter.
Elbeck. Elrebec 1194 (Q). N. elri, a place overgrown with alders; N. bekkr, a stream.
Ewelairs Hill. O.E. leger, a burial place, the association with animals is quite late (EPN).
Fingland. Fingland 1555 (A); Finglen 1598 (A). G. finn glend, white glen (CPN).
Gallatae. O.E. gealga, gallows.
Garrogill. Personal name.
Gateside. N. gata, a road; O.E. side, the slope of a hill.
Gerardgill. Gerardegille 1372 (Q); Gerardgill 1516 (Q). Personal name Gerhard.
Girthhead. N. garthr, an enclosure.
Glengap. Glengap 1357 (Q); Glengip 1476 (Q); Glengepp 1516 (Q).
Horseman Ford.
Hungry Hill. O.E. hunger, hunger, used to denote places with poor pasturage.
Kellhole. N. kelda, a spring, deep water hole.
Kilbrook. Perhaps “Kiln Brook,” or G. cill, church.
Kinnyswell. 1807 (V.R.). Probably personal name.
Laverhay. Liverhay 1515 (RSS); Luverhay 1515 (RSS); Leverhay 1525 (RSS). Personal name Leofhere; O.E. haeg, a hedge, and then the land enclosed by such hedge. Leithenhall. O.E. hlith, a slope.
Lessie Knowes.
Linsheuch Knowe. O.E. lind, a lime tree; N. skogr, a wood.
Lochfell. As there is no loch there it is probably either N. lok, a weed, fern, or, O.E. loc, a locked place, enclosure; N. hall, a hill.
Logan Gail. G. lagan a hollow; gabhal, a fork.
Milcummis. 1515 (RSS); Milcumhois 1525 (RSS); Mil-kamos 1611 (RGS); Milcammos 1625 (RGS) Milkiemoss 1807 (V.R.). Coupled with Powden. Possibly O.E. meolc, used of good pasturage, or turbidity.
Murder Loch.
Noutwath Hill. Nout, cattle; N. vath, a ford.
Poldean. Poldyne 1512 (Q); Polden 1514 (Arms); Powden 1515 (RSS); Powdene 1555 (A); Podene 1578 (A); Podane 1586 (CBP). G. poll, a sluggish stream.
Poldevine. 1515 (RSS). W. pwll, a sluggish stream; W. ddwfn, deep.
Pumplaburn.
Rammel Hill. Rammel, a heap of ruins or brushwood (SDD).
Rispie Hill. Rispie, long, coarse grass (SDD).
Roughlake. 1807 (V.R.). O.E. ruh lacu, rough stream.
Saughtrees. O.E. sealh, willow.
Scalehill. N. skali, a shepherd’s summer hut, a cottage.
Sembletree Knowe. Semble, an assembly (Ja).
Skelly Grain. The first word may be either N. skali, a hut, or, skelly, which means either a chub (the fish); a slate p130pencil; or to do anything crookedly; N grein, a fork, used of a small valley opening out of a larger.
Smail Cleuch. O.E. smael, small, narrow.
Snagger Gill. Snagger, a bite, quarrel; a growl (SDD).
Staffenbigging. O.E. staefer, a stake, pillar; M.E. bigging, a building.
Stenries Hill. Staneryhill 1515 (RSS). N. steinn, stone; hreysi, a cairn, a heap of stones.
Stoddle Grain. O.E. stod, stud, herd of horses, probably a corruption of “stod hill.” N. grein, a fork, a small valley opening out of a larger.
Swair Linns. O.E. sweora, a neck, col; hlynn, a torrent, waterfall, pool.
Tassiesholm. Thasseholm, 1528 (Q); Tassyisholme 1550 (RGS). G. taisse, softness, there is also a personal name Taise. Local tradition connects the name with the Roman Tatius.
Tathknowes. Tath, the luxuriant grass grown on manured land.
Tomsbush. 1807 (V.R.). Probably a personal name and “bush,” which in old Scots meant a wood consisting of oak and birch (CPN).
Trinlin. Possibly G. trian, a third part; lean, a swampy plain.
Wamphray. Vamphray 1257 (REG); Wenefrey 1300 (RM); Wenfray, Wamfra 1555 (Q and A); Vamffray 1593 (O). No derivation suggested. An early church here was built by a Norman follower of Bruce and dedicated to St. Cuthbert (Trans. 1923).
WESTERKIRK
Absterlandis. 1621 (RGS).
Airswood Moss. Erschewood 1542 (RGS). “The Irishman’s wood.”
Alkin Burn.
Appilquhat. 1542 (RGS). N. epla, an apple tree; thveit, a forest clearing.
Auchenbeg. Auchenbeg 1582 (Arms). G. achaidhean, fields; beag, small.
Auchendona. G. achaidhean, fields; either dona, bad, or donaidh, of evil, mischief.
Baillie Hill. La Baly 1376 (RM); Balzie, Balle 1573 (A); Bailyiehill 1615 (RGS); Belyhill 1660 (Bl). Probably bale, a signal fire, bonfire; O.E. bael.
Bentpath. O.E. beonet, bent grass; paeth, a path.
Billholm. Crunzeartoun alias Bilhome 1623 (RGS); Billurn 1660 (Bl). N. bil, a sword.
Bogle Walls. Bogle, an apparition (SDD).
Bombie. Bundeby 1291 (RR); Bondby 1376 (RM); Bombie 1610 (RGS). N. bondi, a free landholder; by, a farm.
Boonie. Bowneis 1542 (RGS); Bowineis 1615 (RGS). Possibly personal name Buna; O.E. naes, a headland.
Bosstree Height. Boss, hollow, poor, worthless (SDD).
Boykin Burn—Boykinhopehead. Botkane 1376 (RM); Boykin 1501 (RSS); Boitkinhoipis 1609 (RGS); Boukin 1615 (RGS).
Bryden’s Well
Bught Rig. Bught, a sheep-fold.
Camra. G. camrath, a gutter, or cam rath, bent fort.
Carlesgill. Carlowsgyl 1376 (RM); Cairslgill 1660 (Bl). N. karla, a free landholder, or a personal name.
Cauldkine Foot. O.E. cald, cold.
Clackanna Sike. G. clach, the stone; eanaigh, of the marsh. Cleekcarvie Burn.
Cleekcrathet.
Clickdow Sike. G. dubh, black.
Clickmantha Sike.
Clickmirk Syke.
Clonraw. G. claon, bent, awry; rath, a fort.
Copelaw Gair. N. kaupa, purchased as opposed to inherited land; O.E. hlaw, a hill; N. Gartha, an enclosure.
Corlaw. Curlaw 1610 (RGS). Br. caer, a fort, or, G. curr, a pit, end; O.E. hlaw, a hill.
Cowchargland. 1376 (RM); Coquhargland 1610 (RGS); Cowcherland 1615 (RGS).
Cristelschaw. 1613 (RGS); Grystaill 1631 (RGS). O.E. Cristel, Christ; sceaga, a small wood.
Crooks. Crokis 1321 (Arms); Crucks 1660 (Bl). N. krokr, a bend.
Crumpton Hill. O.E. crumb, crooked; tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Cruvnentonis. 1532 (RGS). Possibly a personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
Cuil Plantation. Cuill 1610 (RGS). G. cuil, a corner.
Dalbeth Hill. Dalbech 1376 (RM); Dalbetht 1525 (Arms). G. dail, the meadow; beith, of the birches.
Dalblane. 1376 (RM). G. dail, the meadow; blean, of the creek or curve, or, blathan, of the flowers.
Dalduran. 1376 (RM); Daldoran 1479 (Arms); Dalduriane 1492 (Arms); Duldurane 1531 (RGS); Daldaren 1595 (Arms); Dardarren 1660 (Bl). G. dail, the meadow; dobhrain, of the otter; dobhran, also means a moist patch of land, or a small burn.
Dod Fell. Dod, a bare, round hill; N. flail, a hill.
Dorneygill. Dornokgillis 1621 (RGS). G. dornach, a pebbly place.
Downey Hill. G. dunadh, a fortress.
Dowglen. Duglenne 1342 (Arms); Douglenn 1376 (RM); Dowglen 1561 (Arms). G. dubh gleann, black glen.
Dumlin Sike.
Effgill. Igill 1610 (RGS); Eggill 1660 (Bl); Edzell 1828. O.E. eg, or N. ey, an island, or land in the middle of marshes.
Eild Beck. N. gelid, barren; bekkr, a stream.
Enzieholm. Eynze 1532 (RGS); Enzieholm 1610 (RGS); Ainzehoom 1660 (Bl). G. eang, a nook, primarily anything angular or triangular (CPN).
Fawside. Fasyide 1660 (Bl). O.E. fag, stained, variegated; side, the slope of a hill.
Fingland Sike. Fingillen 1568 (RGS); Finglen 1660 (Bl). G. finn glend, white glen (CPN).
Fullwood. O.E. ful, muddy.
Glednest Knowe. O.E. glida, a kite.
Glencat Sike. W. glyn cad, glen of the battle.
Glencrosk. 1320 (RGS); Glencroichon 1376 (RM); Glen-croische 1531 (RGS). G. gleann croisg, glen of the crossing, or, of the cross.
Glendinning. Glendenwyne 1376 (RM); Glendonewyn 1379 (RM); Glendynwyne 1436 (Mel. Ch.); Glendonyng 1610 (RGS).
Glenearls Sike.
Glenkeil. G. gleann caol, narrow glen.
Glensaxon. Br. Saxo, a Saxon.
Glenshanna. Glenschynnane 1610 (RGS); Glenschunnell 1621 (RGS). G. gleann sean ath, glen of the old ford (CPN).
Glenscharne. 1376 (RM).
Guttery Gairs. Guttery, muddy, full of puddles; (SDD) gair, a patch of green on a hillside (SDD).
Haregrain Burn. O.E. har, old, grey, but also descriptive of a boundary; N. grein, a fork, a small valley opening out of a larger.
Harperwhat. Harperswate 1376 (RM); Harparquhat 1542 (RGS); Harberquhit 1615 (RGS). Personal name and N. tliveit, a forest clearing.
Hassgair Head. N. hals, a neck, col; gair, a patch of green on a hillside.
Hizzie Birren. Hizzie, a hussy, used contemptuously ; O.E. burgaens, a burial place, and then any heap of stones.
Hopsrig. O.E. hop, a small valley among the hills; hrycg, a ridge.
Huddleston. Personal name and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
James Town. Built by the Antimony Company about 1750.
King’s Pool. Near Baillie Hill where the two Esks join. Tradition says that a battle was fought here between the Picts and Scots. The Pictish King, Shaw, lost his life by falling through the ice trying to escape after he had been defeated (Trans. 1896).
King Schaw’s Grave. See above.
Kirkcleuch. Curclewch 1610 (RGS); Curcleuch 1660 (Bl). Self explanatory.
Kirncleuch. Kirn, a churn.
Latha Sike. G. lathach, mire.
Loath Knowe. G. loth, mud, puddle.
Lyneholm. Lyneholm 1376 (RM); Lymholm 1542 (RGS); Lynumn 1660 (Pl). Possibly O.E. lin, flax.
Margen Gill.
Martin Gill. Personal name.
Maut Well. Maut, malt.
Megdale. Megdale 1376 (RM); Megdaill 1621 (RGS). W. mig, a bog.
Megget Water. Megot 1542 (RGS). W. mig, a bog; the name is literally “Water of bogginess.’’ (CPN).
Mellion Muir
Midgehol. 1660 (Bl).
Mid Knock. Knott 1320 (RGS); Knoccis 1321 (Arms); Le Knok 1376 (RM). G. cnoc, a hill.
Monk Side. No doubt connected with the fact that the Abbey of Melrose owned most of Eskdale about 1200.
Munshiel Hill. Shortened form of Br. monadh, a hill; M.E. schele, a shepherd’s summer hut.
Murder Gill.
Pegot. 1542 (RGS). Coupled with Megot.
Podovick Burn. G. poll, a sluggish stream. No clue to the rest of the name.
Pollorane. 1610 (RGS). G. poll, the stream; odharain, of the cow-parsley.
Powmeek Sike. W. pwll, a stream; mig, a bog.
Redding Sike. Redd, to spawn.
Ringle Shank. Ringled, ringed, marked in rings (SDD). O.E. sceanga, the projecting ridge of a hill.
Serie Sike. Sairie or seerie, poor, contemptible (SDD). Sherra Craigs. Sherra, the sheriff.
Shiel. La Schilde 1376 (RM); The Scheid 1525 (Arms). M.E. schele, a shepherd’s summer hut.
Shieling Knowe. Rising ground where grain can be winnowed by the wind (SDD).
The Shin. The slope of a hill; the ridgy part of a declivity with a hollow on each side (SDD).
Slunk Knowe. Slunk, a bog, quagmire (SDD).
Smuring Sike. O.E. smeora, fat, used to describe rich pasture.
Stankgate. G. stang, a pool; N. gata, a road.
Stennies Water. Stanhouse 1660 (Bl). O.E. stan, stone. Strushell Burn. Strushel, to go about in a lazy, slovenly manner (SDD).
Swire Sike. O.E. sweora, a neck, col.
Tannatscheillis. 1621 (RGS). W. tan, fire; M.E. schele, a shepherd’s summer hut.
Thorter Gill. Thorter, across, transverse.
Thrumcaps Yard Fort.
Torbeck Hill. Norse personal name Thorir or Thora; N. bekkr, a stream. Cf. Torbeckhill, Middlebie.
Waulk Mill. N. valka, to full cloth.
Westerkirk. Wadsterker 1249 (Mel. Ch.); Wathstirkir 1255 (Mel. Ch.); Westerker 1291 (RR); Wasterkere 1298 (Mel. Ch.); Watstirker 1300 (Mel. Ch.); Wastirker 1309 (Mel. Ch.); Watistirkir 1320 (RM); Wathstirker 1321 (Mel. Ch.); Watersterker 1376 (RM); Westirkar 1514 (Arms); Watsterker 1660 (Bl). “Westerkirk properly Westerker or Watstirker” (Fasti Ecclesiae). O.E. waed or N. vath, a ford; possibly O.E. stirc or styric, a young bullock. There is also an English river Styric, which is a derivative of Stour with British suffix -ic, the suffix is no doubt diminutive and the name means Little Stour. “If Stour is Celtic, which seems practically cer-p136tain, we must start with a Celtic base Staur- or Steur-. . . which would give a British Stur.” The meaning appears to be big, sulky, fierce or the like (ERN). A chapel was founded “in the parish of Westerker” in I39I by Archibald, Earl of Douglas, for the safety of the souls of James, late Earl of Douglas, and Sir Simon Glendonwyn who fell at Otterburn in 1388 (Stat. Act).
White Birren. O.E. burgaens, a burial place, and then any heap of loose stones.
Wolfhope. Either personal name Ulf, or refers to the animal. O.E. hop, a small valley among the hills.
Woodbuss Fell. Buss in old Scots meant a wood consisting of oak and birch (CPN).
Wdkoclandis. 1376 (RM). Apparently self explanatory, but there was a family of Wodecoc in 1275.
Yadlairs Sike. Yad, a mare or old cow; O.E. leger, a lair, originally used of a burial place, the association with animals is quite modern.
UNIDENTIFIED PLACES
Auchenslock. 1578 (A). G. achadh, the field; na sluic, of the pit or pool.
Auchinstock. 1590 (A). G. achadh, the field; nan stoc, of the roots or posts.
Auchinch.
Auchingrane. 1580 (Sh. Bk.).
Auchirdilakdy. 1376 (RM). G. achadh, the field; possibly na dilleachdain, of the orphan.
Bartessane. 1580 (Sh. Bk.). G. barr tarsuinn, transverse hill.
Basbiehall. 1553 (O).
Breccalache. 1315 (RGS). G. breac thalamh, dappled land.
Breckanquate. 1580 (RGS). M.E. braken, bracken; N. thveit, a forest clearing. M.E. braken has a Norse origin (EPN).
Brewland. 1376 (RM).
Butil. 1376 (RM). O.E. bothl, a building.
Carcane.
Cogenshaw. The last syllable is O.E. sceaga, a small wood.
Dalnaw. 1376 (RM). G. dal, the field; n’ath, of the ford.
Drumlief. G. druim, a ridge.
Erblary. 1513.
Ernhanane. 1376 (RM). G. earrann, a portion (of land).
Fischarholme. 1582 (Sh. Bk.).
Flestokis. 1580 (Sh. Bk.).
Glencreach. 1376 (RM). G. gleann criche, glen of the boundary.
Hellebeck. 1291 (RR). Helbekkis. “Hell-beck, a rivulet, especially one issuing from a cave-like recess.” (EPN).
Howelset. 1450 (Q). In Annandale.
Kidymenzeane. G. ceide, a hillock; minnein, a goat-kid, fawn.
Kinkill. 1463 (Q).
Knokingarach. 1573 (Sh. Bk.). G. cnocan, a small hill; carrach, rough.
Knokinshenoch. G. cnoc nan sionnach, hill of the foxes.
Larclachy. 1513. G. lairig, a pass; or, learg, a slope; clachach, stoney.
Louchtheid. 1580 (Sh. Bk.). Loch head.
Marbreck. 1580 (Sh. Bk.). G. marg breac, speckled markland.
Marganyde. 1506; Marganady 1512; Marginane 1566.
Maktwyvie. 1506 (RGS).
Peressar. 1296 (RR). G. preas, a copse.
Ralsonne.
Rottelskar. 1580 (Sh. Bk.).
Sellodzt. 1580 (Sh. Bk.).
Skifttainholme. 1463 (RGS). In Annandale.
Sourlands. 1537 (Trans. 1920). N. saur, sour, swampy land.
Staigmire. 1573 (A). Staig, a stallion; N. myrr, a bog.
Steilhill. 1573 (A).
Sterrihauch. 1577 (Sh. Bk.).
Trawgirel. 1580 (Sh. Bk.).
Wintertonegan. In valle de Niht 1227 (REG). Personal name Winter and O.E. tun, an enclosure with dwellings on it.
NOTES
1. MEASUREMENTS OF LAND.
Merkland. The measuring of land by rental is a custom borrowed from the Norse, the unit being the Ounceland. This is rarely met with but the smaller amounts are quite common. In an ounce of silver there were held to be 18 to 20 dwts, and penny lands abound as do smaller amounts down to the farthing.
Oxgang Cowgang. A measure of land, originally the amount which an ox team could plough in a year. This definition is given in the Wiltshire Doomsday, and presumably means the amount they could plough in the ordinary way of cultivation. It varies from 10 to 25 acres according to the nature of the soil. (EPN Yorks, N.R.).
Bovate. Same as an Oxgang.
Hide. A holding which supported an ordinary free household, in the Wiltshire Doomsday it is given as about 120-160 acres.
Davach. G. dabach, was not so much a measure of land as the amount of land required to support so many head of cattle (CPN).
2. BEACONS. The following extract is taken from an Act of the Scots Parliament 1448. “Ther sail ane baill be brynt on Trailtrow Hill; and ane uther on the Panchnat (Panteth) Hill; ane on the Bailzie Hill abune the Holmendis; ane on Coldanis (Cowdens); ane on Quhitwewin, in Drivisdaill; ane on the Burane Sken-p140toun in Apilgarth; ane on the Browane Hill; ane on the Bleise, in Wamfray; ane on Kyndilknok; ane on the Gallowhill in Moffet perochin. Syne in Nyddis-daill, ane on the Wardlaw; ane on Rahothtoun (Trohoughton); ane on Barlouch; ane on the Pantwa Hill; ane on the Mallowhill (Mullach, Kirkmahoe); ane on Corswyntoun; ane on the Crwfell (Sanquhar); ane on the fell abune Dowlwerk; ane on the Watchfell. And to ger the balis be kepit and maid the shiref of Nyddisdaill and the Stewart of Annanderdaill salbe detouris, and quhasa kepis nocht the balis ordinance and statut beand maid in tym of werfar sal pay for ilk defalt, a merk.” (Quoted from the Report of the Historical Monuments Commission.)