While no-one knows for sure, it's widely believed that Edinburgh took its name around 600 AD from "Din Eidyn", which roughly translates from "fort on the hill".
One thing we do know, however, is the origin of the names for many of the areas that make up Edinburgh.
Some are fairly self-explanatory, but others are more surprising.
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So, here are some of the popular areas of Edinburgh and where their names come from.
Princes Street
Now a bustling trap for tourists and hub for high street businesses, Princes Street was originally known as St. Giles Street, after the city’s patron saint, the cathedral named after the saint still stands nearby.
However, King George the Third took a dislike to Giles, who was also the saint of Lepers, and chose to rename the street after both of his sons- Hence Princes Street.
The Inch
In the South of Edinburgh, a stone's throw from Blackford Hill, The Inch actually has nothing to do with the imperial measurement. It instead gets its name from the Gaelic word “innis” to mean island. It is theorised that the area was once a dry “island” amid wetter countryside.
Dean Village
Another classic for tourists and Edinburgh locals alike, the picturesque Dean village is known for its stunning architecture and peaceful views around The Water of Leith.
The area was once called the Water of Leith Village and was a mill town, using the stream to power their mills. However, King David I referred to the village as “Dene”, which ultimately warped into the modern “Dean Village”.
Stockbridge
Full of cafés, restaurants and charity shops, Stockbridge is another very picturesque area of the capital. The name would seem self explanatory from the bridge in the centre but the name Stockbridge comes from the Scots word “Stock” for wood. It is not clear what happened to the old wooden bridge but the new stone one has since become a feature of the city.
Dalry
In the centre of the city, Dalry remains something of a mystery for historians and the original name for the area is still not known for sure.
However, there are theories, including that it could be from the Gaelic “Dail Rig” for “place of fields” or “Daily Ruigh” for “King’s Field.
Duddingston
Duddingston is best known for Duddingston Kirk, a fantastic example of Norman architecture in Scotland which dates all the way back to the 12th century.
The kirk is also where the area gets its name, commissioned by the Norman Knight Dodin, the town that cropped up around the church adopted the name as “Dodinestun”, which later morphed into “Doudinstoun” and eventually into the familiar “Duddingston.”
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Portobello
The name of Portobello has an interesting history, dating back to seaman George Hamilton who, in 1739, served during the capture of Panama port Porto Bello.
He took the name when building his home and Portobello Hut stood until 1851. As a village grew around it, drawn to clay deposits, the name stuck and is still used today.
Kingsknowe
Kingsknowe is, today, known for its golf course. However, the name comes from the work “Knoll” which simply means a small rounded hill.
Cowgate
As could well be expected, the name for the Cowgate is fairly self explanatory. In the 15th century, it was used to herd livestock to the nearby Grassmarket and the name has simply stuck ever since.
Bonnington
Bonnington was first known as Bonnytoun, which may come from the Scots word “bonny”. Simply enough, over the years it has evolved into what we know today.
Little France
Now home to the Royal Infirmary, the name Little France comes from Mary Queen of Scots. In 1566, she took up residence in Craigmillar Castle accompanied with a large French entourage.
Holyrood
Simply enough, Holyrood is named after the nearby Holyrood Abbey, also known as the Church of the Holy Rude, which is Scots for Cross
Sciennes
Sciennes is named after the 16th century convent, the convent of St Catherine of Scienne, which itself also gives its name to St Catherines Place, where it originally stood.
Murrayfield
The area of Murrayfield, famous for the stadium of the same name, is itself named after the Edinburgh lawyer Archibald Murray, who bought the land from Nisbet of Dean in 1733. The area was then known as Nisbet’s Park but two years after it was bought, the construction of Murrayfield House began and gave the area it’s modern name.
Oxgangs
Oxgangs is named after an old Celtic unit for measuring land which was once used in the East of Scotland.
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