Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• the Red Stones near Hoyle Lake 1819 Orm2i205

• Red Stone, Red Stone Hill 1831 Bry

Etymology

Hilbre Point, Red Stones (100–200887), 1842 OS, the Red Stones near Hoyle Lake 1819 Orm2 i205, Red Stone , Red Stone Hill 1831 Bry, a reef and promontory at the extreme NW tip of Wirral, v. point , rēad , stān , cf. Red Noses 327infra . These rocks marked the seaward limit of the jurisdiction of the port of Chester, cf. Orm2 i205. In 1705, Hem II 321 reports the city sergeant patrolling as far as Hilbre.Although Orm2 i205, 373, ii 832 puts it near Chester, it appears very probable (as Morris 529n.) that the Red Stones is the location of the medieval seaward limit, Arnold's Eye (lost) 1819 Orm2loc. cit. , (Arnoldsheyre E2 (17) Orm2, Arnadesyr '1354 (1379) Ch, Arnaldesire 1358 BPR, Arnoldeshere 1416 Orm2, Arnoldesheir 1499Chol , Arnoldsheir , Arnoldsheire 1499 Sheaf, Arnoldesheire , Arnoldeshiere 1499 Orm2, Arnaldesherre 1506 Morris, 1563 Pat, Arnoldesheire 1506 (1507) MinAcct , Arnolds Eije 1543 Orm2, Arnoldsheir 1704 Hem, 'Arnald's islands', from ey (nom.pl. eyjar ), ēg , and the OG  pers.n. Arnold ), v. Addenda.