Scottish toponymy
Encyclopedia
Scottish toponymy derives from the languages of Scotland. The toponymy
varies in each region, reflecting the linguistic history of each part of the country.
Goidelic roots accounts for most place-names in eastern Scotland, with a few Anglic names in Fife
and Angus
and with a small number Pictish
elements assimilated into the total toponymy.
Nearly every place-name in the Northern Isles
derives from Scandinavian toponymy.
In the Western Isles, there are also many names of Norse origin; this is also true of the coasts of the mainland. In the highlands
, the names are primarily in Scottish Gaelic, with emphasis on natural features; elements such as Glen- (valley) and Inver- (confluence, mouth) are common.
In lowland Scotland, names are of more diverse origin. Many are Gaelic, but many are also from the Brythonic branch of Celtic languages
(such as Lanark
). There are also a substantial number of place names, particularly in the east lowlands, derived from the northern dialect of Old English (see Northumbrian language).
Toponymy
Toponymy is the scientific study of place names , their origins, meanings, use and typology. The word "toponymy" is derived from the Greek words tópos and ónoma . Toponymy is itself a branch of onomastics, the study of names of all kinds...
varies in each region, reflecting the linguistic history of each part of the country.
Goidelic roots accounts for most place-names in eastern Scotland, with a few Anglic names in Fife
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
and Angus
Angus
Angus is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland, a registration county and a lieutenancy area. The council area borders Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Dundee City...
and with a small number Pictish
Pictish language
Pictish is a term used for the extinct language or languages thought to have been spoken by the Picts, the people of northern and central Scotland in the Early Middle Ages...
elements assimilated into the total toponymy.
Nearly every place-name in the Northern Isles
Northern Isles
The Northern Isles is a chain of islands off the north coast of mainland Scotland. The climate is cool and temperate and much influenced by the surrounding seas. There are two main island groups: Shetland and Orkney...
derives from Scandinavian toponymy.
In the Western Isles, there are also many names of Norse origin; this is also true of the coasts of the mainland. In the highlands
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
, the names are primarily in Scottish Gaelic, with emphasis on natural features; elements such as Glen- (valley) and Inver- (confluence, mouth) are common.
In lowland Scotland, names are of more diverse origin. Many are Gaelic, but many are also from the Brythonic branch of Celtic languages
Celtic languages
The Celtic languages are descended from Proto-Celtic, or "Common Celtic"; a branch of the greater Indo-European language family...
(such as Lanark
Lanark
Lanark is a small town in the central belt of Scotland. Its population of 8,253 makes it the 100th largest settlement in Scotland. The name is believed to come from the Cumbric Lanerc meaning "clear space, glade"....
). There are also a substantial number of place names, particularly in the east lowlands, derived from the northern dialect of Old English (see Northumbrian language).
See also
- Scottish Place-Name SocietyScottish Place-Name SocietyThe Scottish Place-Name Society is a learned society in Scotland concerned with toponymy, the study of place-names...
- Ainmean-Àite na h-AlbaAinmean-Àite na h-AlbaAinmean-Àite na h-Alba is the national advisory partnership for Gaelic place names in Scotland. Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba are based at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on Skye.-History:...
- List of places in Scotland
- List of Scottish Gaelic place names
- Scottish place names in other countriesScottish place names in other countriesScottish place names in other countries is a list of placenames in Scotland which have subsequently been applied to other parts of the world by Scottish emigrants or explorers, or contain distinctive Scottish surnames as an element.-Antarctica:...
- Celtic toponymyCeltic toponymyCeltic toponymy is the study of place names wholly or partially of Celtic origin. These names are found throughout continental Europe, the British Isles, Asia Minor and latterly through various other parts of the globe not originally occupied by Celts....
- AcarsaidAcarsaidAcarsaid or An Acarsaid is a common name in the Scottish Highlands. It means literally "anchorage" or "harbour" in Scottish Gaelic, and comes from the Old Norse akkarsaeti, meaning literally "anchor-seat" .-Examples:...
- Albania (placename)
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