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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| shank | schank | OE scanga | n | a downward spur or projection of a hill, a descending ridge which joins a hill summit to the plain | Shankfoot (Kirkcudbright); Shank (Midlothian); Shankend (Roxburghshire); Shank of Inchgrundle (Angus); Shank Cleugh (Midlothian); Meg's Shank (Dumfriesshire); Shankend Wood (Midlothian) | Schanke c1320; Cammo Schaunkis 1507 Bowshank 1593; The Shankfot croft 1690 | shank n | s(c)hank n | |
| sandy | sandy | OE sandig | a | consisting of, or covered in sand; sandy | Sandy Hirst (East Lothian); Sandyford (Dunbartonshire); Sandystones (Roxburghshire); Sandyhill (Fife); Sandy Knowes (North Lanarkshire); Sandilands (South Lanarkshire); Sandydub (Fife) | Sandilandis 1348; Sandystanis 1499-1500; Sande Knowis 1550; Sandieburne 1632 | sandy adj | sandy adj; S2 sandy adj | |
| spout | spout | ME spowte | n | a well, a forceful movement or discharge of water; a spring of water (issuing from the ground or a rock); a waterfall, a cascade, a cataract; a narrow enclosed defile or pathway, a gully in the face of cliffs; a narrow lane between houses; a pipe or conduit | The Red Spout (Aberdeenshire); Lynn Spout (Ayrshire); Spout Wells (Perthshire, Wigtownshire); Lochspouts (Ayrshire); Black Spout (Aberdeenshire, Perthshire); Spout Park (West Lothian); Corrie Spout (Stirlingshire); Garnock Spout (Renfrewshire); Spout of Ballagan (Stirlingshire) | Sanct Mwngowis Spowtis 1558; Spoutwellis 1585-6; Spoutwells 1662; The Spout of Welltrees 1807 | spout n; S2 spout n | spout n | |
| quoy | quy | ON kví | n | a piece of land (originally part of the common pasture) which had been enclosed and cultivated as part of a farm’ | Quoy Sinclair (Orkney); Quoys of Reiss (Caithness); Mossquoy (Orkney); Quoy Park (Orkney); Quoyhenry (Orkney) | Sanct Margarettis quoy 1591; quoygrahame 1634; St Katharein's quoyes 1706; Castle quoy 1766 | quoy n; S1 quoy n | quoy n2; quy, qui n2 | See also DOST quyland n and quoyland n |
| ring | ring | OE hring | n | a ring; a circular earthwork, a pre-historic hill-fort; a circle of standing stones | The Ring of Brodgar (Orkney); St Bride's Ring (Angus); Ring (Fife); Ring Liggat (Kirkcudbrightshire); The Rings (Peeblesshire) | Ringuude 1165-1214; Ryngwodfelde 14thC; Ringwoodfield 1664; Ringhill 1832 | ring n1; S2 ring n1 | ring n1; rang n | |
| inch | inch; insh | Gael innis | n | an island; a piece of ground rising in the middle of a plain; a low-lying tract of ground on a river bank (sometimes cut off at high tide) | Wester Inshes (Inverness); South Inch (Aberdeenshire); The King's Inch (Renfrewshire); Inchwood (Stirlingshire); Little Inch (Fife); Netherinch (Stirlingshire); Heatherinch (Fige) | Redinche 1198-9; Stan Inche 13thC; le Kingis Inche 1450; Sanct Serfis ynche 1567; Keyth Inch c1680 | inch n | inch n2; ins(c)h | |
| heuch, heugh | heuch | OE hōh | n | a crag or precipice, a cliff or steep bank (overhanging a river or the sea); a glen or ravine with steep overhanging sides; (the shaft of) a pit or mine; (the steep face of) a quarry | Millheugh (South Lanarkshire); Underheugh (Renfrewshire); Redheugh (Ayrshire, Roxburghshire); Ravensheugh Sands (East Lothian); Slateheugh (Midlothian); Earnsheugh (Aberdeenshire); Slack Heugh (Kirkcudbrightshire); Fastheugh (Selkirkshire); Clachan Heughs (Wigtownshire); Coalheugh Well (Ross and Cromarty); Redheughs (Midlothian); Heugh Farm (East Lothian); Port Mona Heughs (Wigtownshire) | Redhuche 1388; Reidhewis 1390-1406; Reidheuchis 1528; Carisheughe 1590 | heuch n | heuch, hewch n; huyche | See also DOST col(e-heuch n |
| reid | rede, rid | OE rēad | a | red or reddish in colour | Redhouse (Fife); Redhall (Midlothian); Redpath (Berwickshire); Red Road (Glasgow); Redkirk (Dumfriesshire); Redwells (Fife); Red Liggat (Wigtownshire); Redheugh (Ayrshire, Roxburghshire); Red Moss (Caithness); Redhall (Dumfriesshire) | Redford 12thC; Redinch 1198-9; Reidfurde 1214-29; Rydnure 1348; Ridhalchis Mowse 1475 | reid adj; S1 reid adj; S2 reid adj | red(e, reid adj; rid, redd(e adj | |
| gill | gil | ON gil | n | a narrow valley with steep, rocky sides; a ravine, a gully | Raegill (Dumfriesshire); Stanygill (Roxburghshire); Haregills (Dumfriesshire); Bowman's Gill (Midlothian); Howgill (Dumfriesshire) | Rauengille a1238; Smalgyllis 1373; Cowsowgill 1481-82; Hairgills 1637 | gill n2; S1 gill n2; S2 gill n2 | gil(l, gyll n1 | |
| ra'en, raven | ravin | OE hræfn, ON hrafn | n | a raven | Ravenscraig (Aberdeenshire, Fife, North Lanarkshire); Ravensheugh Sands (East Lothian); Ravensneuk (Midlothian); Redden (Roxburghshire); Ravenshaugh Burn (Midlothian) | Rauendenam c1140; Rauenesfen a1190; Rauengille a1238; Revenysden 1275 | ra'en n | ravin, rawin, revin n1 | |
| rae, ray | ra, ro | OE rā | n | the roe deer | Raehills (Dumfriesshire); Raeshaw (Midlothian); Raeburn (Dumfriesshire); Rawburn (Berwickshire); Roebuck's Seat (Perthshire); Raegill (Dumfriesshire) | Rasawe 1208; Le Raahill 1456; Raa loch 1510-11; Reyschaw 1627 | rae n1 | ra, ray n1; ro, roe n2 | |
| law | law | OE hlāw | n | a round or conical hill, often in isolation; an artificial mound or hillock, a grave-mound or barrow; a mound of earth and shingle on the bank of a river on to which salmon nets are drawn to be emptied | Softlaw (Roxburghshire); Black Law (Ayrshire); Lawhead (Fife); Harelaw (Berwickshire); Box Law (Ayrshire); Lawmuir (Dunbartonshire); Sauchie Law (Selkirkshire); Meikle Law (Midlothian) | Raperlau c1150; Wythelawe 1147-52; Grenlaw a1159; Harlauhill c1170; Welpelaw 1222; Qwitlau 1327 | law n2 | law n2; ADDS law n2 | See also DOST law n3, which may be related |
| 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 | |
| whin, fun | quhin | ON *hvin, ME whin | n | the common gorse or furze | Whins of Milton (Stirlingshire); Whin Park (Inverness, Stirlingshire); Whinhill Park (Edinburgh); Whinrig Hill (Berwickshire); Whinrigg (North Lanarkshire); Whins (Fife); Whinbush (Aberdeenshire) | Quhins 1629; Whin 1755; Whins 1773; Figgate Whins 1893 | whin n2; fun n1 | quhin, quhine, whin n1 | |
| wham | quhawme | ON hvammr | n | a dale or valley, a broad hollow among hills (with a stream), a little glen; a hollow piece of ground (in a field), a depression | The Whaum (St Andrews); Wham Park (Stirlingshire); Whoam Park (West Lothian); Whoam Quarry (West Lothian) | Quhawmes 1594; wester quhawme 1635; Whalmfoot 1635-6; Sandy Wham 1773 | wham n1 | quhawme n | |
| quarrel | quarrell, correll | ? Latin quarrelia | n | a stone quarry | Quarrelhead (North Lanarkshire); Quarrelwood (Dumfriesshire, Morayshire); Quarrel End (Kirkcudbrightshire); Quarrel Hill (Ayrshire); Quarrel Burn (Midlothian); Quarrel Knowe (Kirkcudbrightshire); Coral Glen (Ayrshire) | Quarelgate 1337; Quarelwode 1369; Querrellwod 1496; Quarrel Howe 1794; Corral Glen 1885 | quarrel n1 | quar(r)el(l, quer(r)el(l n2; corrall; correll; quarrew, quarroue | |
| 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 | |
| priest | prest | OE prēost | n | a priest, a clergyman of the Roman Catholic church | Priesthill (Glasgow); Prestwick (Ayrshire); Prieston (Roxburghshire); Priestfield (Angus); Priest's Well (Aberdeenshire); Priestside (Dumfriesshire); Preston (Kirkcudbrightshire, Midlothian); Priestlands (Kirkcudbrightshire); Priest's Knowe (Aberdeenshire) | Prestbrige 1153-61; Preston 1165-1214; Prestmunethburne 1214-49; Prestfeld 1327 | priest n, S1 priest n | prest(e n | |
| pow | pow, poll | Gael poll, OE pōl | n | a slow-moving, ditch-like stream, flowing through carseland; a (shallow) pool of water, a marshy place; a sea-pool in the rocks; a creek or inlet; a marshy field | Powmouth (Angus); Pow Burn (Edinburgh); Powfoot (Dumfriesshire); Powside (Stirlingshire); The Cra' Pow (Orkney); Powflats (West Lothian) | pow mylne of Dalkeith 1481; powis of Arth 1512; Powlandis 1540; powburne 1563 | pow n2 | poll, pow n1 | |
| patter | pottar | OE pottere | n | a potter, a maker or vendor of pots | Potter Row (Edinburgh); Potterhill (Ayrshire); Potterton (Aberdeenshire); Potterland (Kirkcudbrightshire); Potterston (Ayrshire) | Pottermedow 1333; Pottartoune 1457; Pottarraw 1561; Potter raw a1568 | pot n | pottar n | |
| puddock | paddok, poddok | ME paddoke | n | a frog, a toad | Pottishaw (West Lothian); Paddockmuir Wood (Perthshire); Paddock Hall (West Lothian); Paddington Sike (Roxburghshire) | Poddocford 1272-1316; Paddocford c1300; Padokschaw 1503; Paddowcleucheheid 1569; Paddoklaw 1618; paddock-buttis 1619 | puddock n; S1 puddock n; S2 puddock n | pad(d)ok n1; poddo(c)k, puddock n; paddo, padow n | Compare DOST pad(e n and pode n |
| pike | pyke | OE pīc, ON pík | n | a sharp pointed hill; a pointed pile of stones, a cairn; a pointed tip, a tapering horn-like projection | Unthank Pikes (Roxburghshire); Pikeham (Midlothian); Pike Hole (West Lothian); Pike Fell (Roxburghshire); Pikestone Rig (Selkirkshire) | Pike 1785; Pyke 1801; Pike Fell 1832; Rone Fell 1832 | pike n | pik(e, pyk(e n1 | |
| peat | pete | ?Celtic *pett, OIr pit | n | peat | Peat Burn (Kirkcudbrightshire); Peathill (Fife); Peatrig Hill (Midlothian); Peatrig (Kirkcudbrightshire); Peat Inn (Fife); Peat Knowes (Kirkcudbrightshire); Peat Law (Midlothian); Peat Hass (Kirkcudbrightshire) | petemyre (of Dontarvy) 1431; Peitrig 1535; Peithill Knoll 1549-50; Peithill Syik 1549-50; Peitaker 1562-62 | peat n1; S2 peat n1 | pete, peit n1 | |
| peel | pele | ME pele | n | a defensive palisade or fence of stakes, a stockade, ground enclosed by such; a small fortified or moated rectangular stone tower | Peelrig (Berwickshire); Peelbraehope (Roxburghshire); Peelwalls (Berwickshire); Peelnick (Roxburghshire); Pilmuir (Berwickshire, Fife); Peel Hill (Selkirkshire) | Pel de Lithcu 14thC; le Pele 1429; peile of Belsyis 1479; the peile of Knokschenoch 1528 | peel n4 | pele, peill n1 | |
| otter, witter | otter | OE oter | n | an otter | Otter Isle (Kirkcudbrightshire); Otter Burn (Midlothian, Roxburghshire); Otter Strand (Kirkcudbrightshire); Otters Pool (Orkney); Otter Ayre (Shetland) | Otyrburn a1300; Otirburne 1373; Otterburne 1593; Oatters Pool 1765 | otter n; witter n4 | otter n, notyr n |
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.)
