Why Do Some Scottish Villages Have Similar Names?

Why Do Some Scottish Villages Have Similar Names? Scotland is a land of breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and charming villages. If you’ve ever explored the country, you may have noticed that many Scottish villages share similar or even identical names. This phenomenon can be puzzling for visitors and even locals. Why are there so many places with names like Newton, Kirkton, or Milton? The answer lies in Scotland’s linguistic history, geographical influences, and cultural heritage. The Influence of Old Languages on Scottish Place Names Scottish place names often derive from Gaelic, Old Norse, and Scots languages. For example, the prefix "Glas-" in Glasgow comes from the Gaelic Glaschu , meaning "green hollow." Interestingly, if you take a Glasgow taxi through the city, your driver might tell you how many other towns share similar Gaelic roots. Words like kil- (from cill , meaning "church") or bal- (from baile , meaning "t...