Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• fossa de Lidel p.1165 Nat.MSSScotland

• castrum et villa de Lidell 1218 ClR

• the Mote of Lydel 1300 CWx

• the mote of Liddale 1528 LP

• Motel Lithel c.1540 Leland

• the Mote of Lydall 1563–6 Liddesdale

• The mote 1576 S

• the Piel of Ledel 1310 Scotland

• Pela de Ledele 1340 GDR

• Liddal Strength 1777 NB

• Liddel 1267 Ch 1281 Weth

• Lyddele 1330,1331 Ipm

• Lydel, Lidel 1275,1281 Ipm 1332 Cl

• Lydell, Lidell 1292 QW 1325,1359 Ipm 1346 Cl 1348 Pat

• Lythdale 1292 Weth

• Lydale 1328 Misc

• Lydele 1368 IpmR

• Ledel 1330 Cl

• Ledalle 1359 ADiv

• Ledall 1459 Pat

Etymology

For Liddel, v. Liddel Water supra 19. Here, as in The Mote in Brampton (supra 67), the word mote represents the Late Latin mota , 'mound.' It refers to the great earthen mound which formed the first citadel of this border fortress. References to the pela or piel of Liddel denote the later 'peel' or stone tower which replaced the earthen mound as the core of the defences. The word 'Strength' in the modern name has the sense 'fortified place' (v. NED, s. v. strength , sb.).