Place-Name Glossary
This is a glossary of Scots words which are used in place-names. Each entry gives the meaning of the word, alongside linguistic notes (discussed below) and modern and historical examples of the word in actual place-names in Scotland.
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| Modern Form | Older Scots Form | Etymology  | PoS | Definition | Modern Examples | Historical Evidence | SND Link | DOST Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| brig, brigg | brig | OE brycg, ON bryggja | n | a bridge; a reef, a long low ridge of sea-rocks; a large flat stone, a flagstone | Blackbriggs (Ayrshire, Kirkcudbrightshire); Birgham (Berwickshire); Gorebridge (Edinburgh); The Brig o Ballater; (Abderdeenshire); Brighouse (Kirkcudbrightshire); Brig o' Doon (Ayrshire); Fisherbriggs (Aberdeenshire); Briggait (Glasgow); Brigstanes (Kincardineshire); Stonebriggs (Aberdeenshire) | Prestesbrige c1150; Hatherbrig c1190; Risibrigg c1240; Briggate c1266; Brighous 1337; Bryghend 1359 | brig n1; S1 brig n1; S2 brig n1 | brig, bryg n | |
| burn | burn | OE burna | n | a brook or stream; water (from a fountain or well) | Blackburn (West Lothian); Springburn (Glasgow); Netherburn (South Lanarkshire); Burn of Cruan (Orkney); Den Burn (Aberdeenshire); Burnbank (North Lanarkshire); Millburn (Inverness); Burn of Whilk (Caithness); Dryburn (Morayshire); Burnside (Fife); Burnfoot (Wigtownshire) | Merburne c1170; Triernburn c1200; Bradestrothirburne c1220; Kyrkeburne 1229; le Burnhedis 1505; Burneside 1548 | burn n; S1 burn n; S2 burn n | burn n | See also SND brin n1 |
| cauld, cowld | cald | OE cald | a | cold | Caldside (Berwickshire); Cauldcots (Angus); Caulhame (West Lothian); Cauldcoats (Midlothian, Renfrewshire); Cauldside (Dumfriesshire, East Lothian); Coldstream (Berwickshire); Cauldshiel (East Lothian) | Kalde welle c1190; Kaldestrem c 1200; Caldelaue 1218; Caldclogh 1363 | cauld adj; S1 cauld adj; S2 cauld adj; cowld adj; S2 cowld adj | cald, cauld a | |
| kame | kame | OE camb | n | a long, narrow, steep-sided mound or ridge, a hill-ridge; a small peninsula, a narrow isthmus | Kame of Isbister (Shetland); Kaimflat (Roxburghshire); Kame of Hoy (Orkney); Easter Kame (Shetland); Kaimes (Fife); Kaimhill (Aberdeenshire); Kaim Head (Edinburgh); Kaimend (Roxburghshire); Kame of Riven Noup (Shetland) | Camis 1533; Kems 1654; Kaims Hill 1773; Kaimes 1781 | kame n; S1 kame n; S2 kame n | kame n; came n; kem, keme n | |
| know, knowe | know, knoll | OE cnoll | n | a small rounded hill, a hillock or mound (sometimes associated with fairies) | Acreknowe (Roxburghshire); Crowdieknowe (Dumfriesshire); Knowe of Grugar (Orkney); Mill Knowe (Argyllshire); Tappetknowe (Stirlingshire); Silver Knowe (Perthshire); Gallows Knowe (West Lothian); Knowe of Steeringlo (Orkney) Knowehead (Aberdeenshire, Angus); Broomknowe (Fife); Knowe of Burgarth (Shetland); Silverknowes (Edinburgh); Dam Knowe (Wigtownshire) | Brunecnolh 1165-1249; Knolestruthyr c1350; Lie widderitknow 1599; Clerks Know 1754 | know n; S1 know n; S2 know n | knoll n; know n | |
| cot | cot, cote | OE cot | n | a small house, a humble dwelling, a cottage; a sheep-house | Saltcoats (Ayrshire, East Lothian); Cotts of Innes (Morayshire); Cauldcoats (Midlothian); Gatehousecote (Roxburghshire); Lochcote (West Lothian); Banks Cott (Kirkcudbrightshire); Butchercoat (Berwickshire); Coates (Midlothian) | Grenhilcotis c1320; Saltcotis 1368; Lochcot(t)is 1471; Coitcroft 1576 | cot n; S2 cot n | cot, cott n3; cote, coit n2 | See also DOST cotland n and cote-, coit-, coatland, n; and DOST cot-toun n |
| corse, cross | corse, croce, cros | OE cros, ON kross | n | a cross; a market cross, a market place, a boundary cross; a cairn, a pile of stones on a hill-top | Corseford (Renfrewshire); Corsehill (Kirkcudbrightshire); Corsewall (Wigtownshire); Coarse Hill (Fife); Tollcross (Edinburgh, Glasgow); Corseyard (Kirkcudbrightshire); Crossford (South Lanarkshire); Crossgates (Fife); Corsehope (Midlothian); Corseland (Kirkcudbrightshire) | Crossrigeflat c1220; Crosflatte c1320; Hakkerstane crose 1425; Crosdikis 1456 | corse, cors, kors n; croce n; cross n; S1 cross n; S2 cross n | cors, corce, corse n2; croce n1; cros, cross(e n1; croice, crois(e n; crose, croas n | |
| queen, wheen | quene | OE cwēn | n | a queen, the queen | South Queensferry (West Lothian); North Queensferry (Fife); Queen's Park (Glasgow); Queenshaugh (Stirling); Queen's Seat (Fife) | Qwenys-ferry c1420; le quenys Hauche 1457; Quenis fery1480; Queen's Seat 1773 | queen n; S2 queen n; wheen n2 | quen(e, quein n1 | |
| kill | kill, kilne | OE cylene | n | a kiln; a kiln-shaped chasm in the rocks (linked to the sea by a tunnel) | Kiln Knowe (Kirkcudbrightshire); Kilnhill (Angus, South Lanarkshire); Kiln Rocks (Fife); Kiln Croft (Kirkcudbrightshire); Kill Burn (Midlothian); Kiln Plantation (Kirkcudbrightshire); Kilburns (Fife); Halflawkiln (Midlothian); Kiln Strand (Kirkcudbrightshire) | the Kill-croft 1627; Halfflakill 1627; Lilmkiln 1773; Halfla Kill 1839 | kill n1; S2 kill n1 | kill n1; kiln(e n; ADDS kiln(e n | |
| king | king | OE cyning | n | a king, the king | Kingsknowe (Edinburgh); King's Park (Stirling); Kingsmills (Inverness); Kingslinks (Aberdeen); Kingsbarns (Fife); Kingsmuir (Angus); Kingston Grange (Midlothian) | Kingeswell c1200; Kingessete c1200; Kyngeston 1221; Kynggesside a1300; Kynggewell a1300; Kyngestrete c1330 | king n; S1 king n; S2 king n | king n; ADDS king n | |
| dale, deel, daal | dale, dail | OE dæl, ON dalr | n | a dale, a valley | Teviotdale (Roxburghshire); Lauderdale (Berwickshire); Butterdales (Dumfriesshire); Tweeddale (Roxburghshire); Nithsdale (Dumfriesshire) | Teviettedale c1100; Drivesdale 1116; Teuidall c1154; Tvededale 1159; Lawederdale c1200 | dale n3; deel n; daal, dal(l n | dale, dail(l n1 | |
| den, dean | den, dene | OE denu | n | a hollow with sloping sides (often with a rivulet), a narrow (wooded) ravine or valley, a dingle | Den Burn (Aberdeenshire); Blakedean (Roxburghshire); Cardenden (Fife); Dean Village (Edinburgh); Denholm (Roxburghshire); Lambden (Berwickshire); Aikendean (Midlothian); Milldeans (Fife); Hassendean (Roxburghshire) | Lummesdene c1100; Botheldene 1159; Ellesdene 1218; Strikerden 1275; Denside 1304 | den n1 | den n1; dene n1 | |
| dern | dern, darn | OE derne | a | secret, obscure, hidden; dark, dreary, lonely, desolate | Derncleugh (Aberdeen); Darnick (Roxburghshire); Darnrig Moss (Stirlingshire); Dernfurd (Aberdeenshire) | Dernewic c1136; Dernewick 1584; Dernfurd 1662; Derne Moss 1684 | dern adj; S2 dern adj | dern(e, darn(e a | |
| east, aist | est, eist | OE ēast | a | situated in the east, eastern | Eastfield (Glasgow); East Craigs (Edinburgh); East Kilbride (South Lanarkshire); Eastgate (Inverness); East Neuk (Fife); East Grain (Aberdeenshire); East Voe of Quarff (Shetland) | Estfulhope c1240; Estcrag 1278; Est Nesebit 1296; Estschelys 1359; Estwod 1373 | east adj; S2 east adj; aist adj | est, eist a | |
| easter | ester, eister | OE ēasterra | a | eastern, lying towards the east, the more easterly of two places or buildings (in contrast with wester) | Easterhouse (Glasgow); Easter Ross (Ross and Cromarty); Easterton (Aberdeenshire); Easter Quarff (Shetland); Easter Cash (Fife); Easter Tofts (South Lanarkshire); Easter Knock (Aberdeenshire) | Esterhathou a1200; Estyr Fenton c1224; Eister Vemis 1556; Eistyr Drakie 1562 | easter adj | ester, eister, easter a | |
| edge | ege | OE ecg | n | an edge; the crest of a sharp ridge | Windy Edge (Fife, West Lothian); Edgeface (Stirlingshire); Muiredge (Fife); Edgefield (Midlothian); Lamblair Edge (Roxburghshire); Edgefauld Road (Glasgow); Cairn Edge (Midlothian) | Soltray ege 1455; Windiaige 1596; Eadestoun eadge 1603; Edgeberry 1773 | edge n | ege, egge n | |
| fauld | fald | OE falod | n | an enclosure for animals; an enclosed piece of ground used for cultivation, a small field; the part of the outfield which was manured by folding cattle upon it | Lochfauld (Dunbartonshire) Whitefauld (Stirlingshire); Edgefauld Road (Glasgow); Langfaulds (Dunbartonshire); Clayfaulds (Stirlingshire); Muiryfaulds (Angus); Linen Faulds (West Lothian); Scabbit Fauld (Aberdeenshire); Whitefaulds (Ayrshire); Bowriefauld (Angus) | Kochilfaulde 1407; Morefaulde 1407; the faldis of Cabrastone 1595-96; Firth Faldis 1611 | fauld n2; S2 fauld n2; fold n; S1 fold n | fald, fauld n1 | See also SNDS barnfauld n and DOST stand fa(u)ld n, shepe-fald n, fald-dyke n, fold-dyke n, nowt-fald n |
| fairnie | farny | OE fearnig | a | ferny | Fairnieside (Berwickshire); Ferniebrae (Aberdeenshire, Kincardineshire); Fairnielee (Selkirkshire); Ferniehill (Edinburgh); Ferniehirst (Midlothian, Roxburghshire); Ferniegair (South Lanarkshire); Fernieflatt (Kincardineshire); Fernyrig (Berwickshire); Fernie Grain (Midlothian) | Farniacres 13thC; Farenyacredene c1320; Farnydoune 1372; Farnyle 1456 | fern n | farny a | |
| field | feld, field | OE feld | n | a field | Eastfield (Glasgow); Linksfield (Aberdeen); Bruntsfield (Edinburgh); Priestfield (Angus); Field of Noss (Caithness); Bellfield Park (Inverness); Hogganfield (Glasgow); Smithfield (Aberdeen) | Wytefeld c1200; Lyllochefylde 1293; Westfeld 1294; Prestfeld 1327; Hwytfyld 1333 | field n; S1 field n | feld(e, feild n; ADDS feld(e n | see also DOST feld(e) land, feild land n |
| gallow, galla | gallow | OE galga | n | a gallows, a place of execution | Gallowgate (Glasgow); Gallatown (Fife); Gallowhill (Aberdeenshire, Ross and Cromarty, Perthshire, West Dunbartonshire, Wigtownshire); Gallowfauld (Angus); Galalaw (Roxburghshire); Gallowdykes (Edinburgh); Gallowhills (Aberdeenshire); Gallows Knowe (West Lothian) | Galuraw c1250; Galowhille 1315; Galugat 1317; Gallowmore 1488 | gallows n | gallo(w, galow- n; gallow(i)s, gallous n | See also DOST gallowgate n and gallowhill n |
| yett | ʒet | OE geat | n | a gate, a gateway or entrance to a town or building; a natural pass or defile between hills | Kirk Yetholm (Roxburghshire); Brae of Yetts (Dunbartonshire); Broadyetts (West Lothian); Rashlieyett (Ayrshire); Moatyett (South Lanarkshire); Wateryett (Ayrshire) | le Barres ʒeth 1487; Sanct Leonards yettis 1553-54; Rodin Yett 1568; Mekill Yet 1590; Yetts of Keppel 1828; Yetts of Muckart 1845 | yett n1; S2 yett n1 | ʒet(t, yet(t n | |
| gled | gled | OE glida | n | the common kite; a hawk | Gladswood (Berwickshire); Gledsnest (Roxburghshire); Gladhouse (Midlothian); Gledehills (Fife); Gled Hill (West Lothian); Gladsmoor (Wigtownshire); Glede Knowe (Midlothian); Gladgate (Fife); Glede Bog (Kirkcudbrightshire) | Gledehus 1140-53; Gleddiswod c1200; Gledstanes c1354; Gledhous 1563 | gled n1 | gled n | |
| guse | guse | OE gōs | n | a goose | Goosedubs (Edinburgh, Glasgow); High and Laigh Gooseloan (Ayrshire); Goose Loch (Selkirkshire); Goosecroft Road (Stirling); Goosefauld (Glasgow) | Gwis croft 1538; the guis hawch of Kynmynty 1554; Gusdubbis 1563; Goos Dubb 1721 | guse n; S1 guse n; S2 guse n; geese n | guse, guis n1 | |
| great, gret | gret, grete | OE grēat | a | great | Greatmoor (Roxburghshire); Great Knock (Peeblesshire); Great Brow (Dumfriesshire); Great Law (Midlothian); Great Hill (Peeblesshire) | Gretrigesmedue c1170; Gretryg c1214; Gretlau a1300; Grittmoore 1654 | great adj; S2 great adj | gret, grett a; grete, greit a | |
| green | grene | OE grēne | a | grassy, green-coloured; covered in grass or greenery | Greenlaw (Angus, Berwickshire, Midlothian); Greenhill (Sutherland); Greenwood (Berwickshire); Greenside (Midlothian); Green Nap (Fife); Greenhead (Roxburghshire); Green Shields (Stirlingshire) | Grenlaw a1159; Grenerig c1220; Grenesyd(e) 1256-59; Greneheved 1296; Grenhil(cotis) 1317; Grenelaw 1492 | green adj; S1 green adj; S2 green adj | grene, grein a |
Glossary compiled by Dr Alison Grant of Scottish Language Dictionaries and the Scottish Place-Name Society.
Linguistic Notes
The glossary provides the Modern Scots form of each place-name element, and then traces the word back through the Older Scots form to its etymological root. Illustration of the development of each element is found in the historical forms, and modern usage is illustrated by the current place-name examples provided. The glossary also provides references to the two major Scots dictionaries, the Scottish National Dictionary (SND) and the Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (DOST) together with any relevant supplementary material (the first SND supplement is marked S1, and the second S2, and the additions to DOST are marked ADDS). These dictionaries can be accessed online at www.dsl.ac.uk. Further supplementary material has been added from two 1940s Ph. D. theses, The Non-Celtic Place-Names of the Scottish Border Counties by May Williamson and The Place Name of Midlothian by Norman Dixon, both of which are available for consultation in the ‘resources’ section of the Scottish Place-Name Society website. The glossary contains Scots words derived from Old English, Old Norse, Middle Dutch, Anglo-Norman French and Latin, together with more recent loan-words from Gaelic and Insular Norn. For example, the whilst ‘glen’ is primarily a Gaelic place-name element, occurring in names such as Glen Affric and Glenmore, the word was also borrowed into Scots, where it was used to form names such as Glenhead and Glens of Foudland. Similarly, although names in ‘geo’ are often from Old Norse gjá, including Ramnageo and Papilgeo, the word was also borrowed into Scots from Norn, and used to coin names such as Millburn Geo and Geo of Dykesend.Counties (where given) are pre-1975 local government reorganisation.
PoS = Part of Speech (noun, adjective, etc.)
