South Head
Early-attested site in the Parish of Rottington
Historical Forms
- Houtbergh, Houtheberh, Houburgh c.1250 StB
- Howthberwe, Howtbirwe 1258 ib
Etymology
James Wilson (StB, 419) that the original name of this headland was Houtbergh , Houtheberh , Houburgh c. 1250 StB, Howthberwe , Howtbirwe 1258 ib. The latter name consists of OE be(o)rg or ON berg, preceded by an element which may well be the ON hǫfuð contained in Whitehaven infra 450. This word has developed in a similar way in Howth, Co. Dublin, Ireland.