Latrigg
Early-attested site in the Parish of Underskiddaw
Historical Forms
- Laterhayheved 1220 Fountains
- Laterhayhefed 1256 ib
- Laterayheued c.1260 ib
- Latterigg 1666 Terrier
- Latrig(g) 1769 Gray 1784 West
- Lath-Rigs 1789 Clarke
Etymology
This contains the first recorded example in this county of an element later , which occurs again in Whinlatter and Latterhead infra 409, 410.It is discussed by Ekwall in ScandCelts 91–2 and PN La 194.Formally, the element can be derived either from an ON látr , 'lair,' or from a Goidelic word, represented in OIrish lettir , Gaelic leitir , and meaning 'hill' or 'slope.' The first explanation accounts most easily for the form Later , but it is inappropriate to the mountain height of Whinlatter and it does not suit the high and well-marked hill of Latrigg. Latterhead is in a valley, but the hills immediately to the west rise nearly a thousand feet above the settlement to which the name is applied. It is probable that the Goidelic lettir , leitir is the basis of this name, as of Latrigg and Whinlatter. The final element of Latrigg was originally OE hēafod, 'head,' afterwards changed to rigg . The meaning of -hay - is uncertain.