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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 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 |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| doocot | dowcot | ME dove + cot | n | a dovecot | Dovecothall (Berwickshire, Renfrewshire); Doocot (Aberdeenshire); Doo' cot Park (Perth); Doo' cot Hill (Clackmananshire); Dovecot Wood (Aberdeen); Dovecotwell (Dumfriesshire) | ducat burne 1592; doucott aiker 1593; dowcat wynde 1660; Dovecot Park 1781 | doocot n; S2 doocot n | dowcot, dowcat n | |
| seat | sete | ON sǽti | n | a high, saddle-shaped and conspicuous hill; a dwelling house, a country seat, a place of habitation | Arthur's Seat (Edinburgh); Earl's Seat (Stirlingshire); Foresterseat (Morayshire); St Arnold's Seat (Angus); Leven Seat (Midlothian); Mowat's Seat (Angus) | Kingesseteburne 1165-90; Pronewessete c1180; Keluesete 1165-1214; Kingessete c1200 | seat n; S1 seat n | DOST sete, seit(e n | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| cuningar | cuningar, cunnigar | OF conninière, ME conynger | n | a rabbit warren | Kinningars Park (West Lothian); Cunningar Wood (Aberdeenshire); The Cuningar (West Lothian); Cunningar (Midlothian) | Cunyngare 1491; Cunneger hill 1496; Cunnynger hillis1514; Cunnyngayrland 1543 | cuningar n | cuningar, cunningair n; (cunigar), cunnigare n; conyngar(e n; *cuneinyaird n; kunynʒare n | see also DOST cunnygarth n |
| craig | crag | Gael creag, ME crag | n | a cliff on the sea or mountain-side, a projecting spur of rock; (in plural) rocky ground; sea-rocks, cliffs | Eastcraigs (Edinburgh); Craigmire (Aberdeenshire); White Craig (Stirlingshire); Williamcraigs (West Lothian); Little Craigs (Ayrshire); Craigend (Angus); Westcraigs (West Lothian); Maw Craig (Aberdeenshire); Craighead (Ayrshire) | Krag 1278; Villamis Craigis c.1335; White Cragg 1370; Westecrage of Egilsface 1392 | craig, crag n1; S1 craig n1; S2 craig n1 | crag, crage, craig n1 | |
| 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 | |
| connie, coney, kinnen, kunno | coning, cuning | OF conin, conil, ME conyng | n | a rabbit | Coney Park (Stirlingshire); Coneyhatch (Kincardineshire); Kinnen Hill (West Lothian); Cuninghowes (Edinburgh) | The Cunyshill c.1540; Cunninghills 1688; Cuninboigs 1688; Kinningbrae 1698 | connie n; kinnen n; S1 kinnen n, kunno n | coning, conyng n; cuning, cunning n; qwneing n; kinning n | |
| clint, klint | clynt | ODan klint | n | a cliff, a high crag, a precipice; a rock or large stone; a crevice in rocks; steep faces on a high hill | Clints of Drumore (Kirkcudbrightshire); Clintwood Castle (Roxburghshire); Oak Clints (Kirkcudbrightshire); Clints (Midlothian); Clints of the Buss (Kirkcudbrightshire); Clinthill (Dumfriesshire, Fife); Clints of the Spout (Kirkcudbrightshire); Sound Clint (Kirkcudbrightshire) | Clinkskaillis 1556; Klintwood 1654; Clints March 1781; Clintwood 1832 | clint, klint n; S2 clint n | clint, clynt n | |
| cleugh, cleuch | cleuch | OE *clōh | n | a (narrow) gorge or ravine with steep rocky sides, usually the course of a stream; the steep side of a ravine, a cliff; a crag, a rock | Byrecleugh (Berwickshire); Hare Cleugh (East Lothian); Cleugh Hill (Wigtownshire); Buccleuch (Selkirkshire); The Cleuch (Midlothian); Point of the Cleugh (Wigtownshire) | Edwardes-cloch c1190; Ernesclucht c1350; Westircluch-heuyd c1370; Corsclewch 1456 | cleugh, cleuch n; S2 cleugh n | cleuch n | |
| cairter | carter, karter | ME cartare | n | a carter | Carterhaugh (Angus, Selkirkshire); Carter Bar (Roxburghshire); Carterhope Burn (Peeblesshire); Carter Fell (Roxburghshire) | Carterford c1250; Cartergate c1250; Cartarehauch 1489-90; Carteryards 1657 | cairter n | cartar(e, carter n1; karter, kairter, n | See also SND S1 cadger n |
| carse | kerse, cars | uncertain | n | low and fertile land along the bank of a river | Carse of Gowrie (Perthshire); The Carse (Inverness); Kinneil Kerse (West Lothian); Carse of Raddery (Ross and Cromarty); Carse Knowe (West Lothian); Kerse (Ayrshire); East Kerse Mains (West Lothian); Carsethorn (Kirkcudbright); Carseburn (Angus) | Cars 1292; Ferycars 1359; Cars de Buthkener 1359; Kars 1390; Kers 1392; Kerse de Kambus 1451; Carse of Gowrie 1564; Kersheid 1641 | carse n | cars, carse n; kars n; kers(e 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 | |
| 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 |
| brume, broom | brume, brome | OE brōm | n | the plant broom, bushes or stretches of broom | Broompark Farm (Glasgow); Broomhill (Ross and Cromarty); Broomhouse (East Lothian, Edinburgh, Roxburghshire); Broomridge (Stirling); Broomhall (Fife); Broomlands (Dumfriesshire, Midlothian, Roxburghshire); Broomknowes (Ayrshire) | Brumcrok c.1300; Bruymdyk 1490; Bromeparkis 1556; brumecroft c1567 | brume, brim n; S1 brume n; breem, breme n1; broom n1 | brume n; brome, browme n | |
| 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 | |
| breckan, brechan | brakan | ME braken | n | bracken | Breckonside (Dumfriesshire); Breconrae (Dumfriesshire); Brackenhirst (North Lanarkshire); Brekenrig (Dumfriesshire); Bracken Falls (Wigtownshire); Brackenleys (Stirlingshire); Breconside (Kirkcudbrightshire); Breckenshank (Dumfriesshire) | Brakanwra c1270; Brakenrig 1428; Brakanhirst 1475; Brakanrig 1504 | brachan, brachen, brechan n; bracken n; breckan, brecken n | brakan, braikane n1 | |
| braid | brade | OE brād | a | broad or wide | Braidshaw (Midlothian); Braidley (Roxburghshire); Braidfield (Dunbartonshire); Broadhaugh (Roxburghshire); Broadleys (Fife); Braidwood (Midlothian) | Bradestrother c1200; Brademedwe c1200; Bradeforde c1230; Bradewude a1240 | braid adj; S1 braid adj; S2 braid adj | brade, braid 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.)
