Ordnance Survey Name Books | ScotlandsPlaces

Ordnance Survey name books (or 'original object name books') provide information about place names and building names on the first edition Ordnance Survey mapping which took place in the mid-19th century. The original object name books used in Scotland came in two forms, each with a different system of headed columns. The first type, commonly used in surveying and naming the Highland parishes, was essentially a 'field' version of the name book and had five headings: Received name; Object; Description; Township or parish; Authority for spelling, with their names and addresses. The collector, usually an officer in the Ordnance Survey, would consult local historians and etymologists (authorities) in order to fix the spelling (the received name) of each 'object' (natural feature, inhabited place, building and so on). A second type, used commonly in the Lowlands, had an additional column: 'Orthography as recommended to be used in the new Plans'. Another column of 'Descriptive Remarks, or other General Observations which may be considered of Interest' usually duplicated the information contained in the 'Description' column, but additional information was sometimes given. This fuller version was completed by staff in the local Ordnance Survey office who might add further information from sources such as early maps, historical texts or local scholarly bodies.

Name	Description
Aberdeenshire OS Name Books, 1865-1871	The following 91 volumes contain information on place name found between 1865 and 1871 in the town of Aberdeen, as well as the parishes of Aberdour, Aboyne and Glentannar, Alford, Auchindoir and Kearn, Auchterless, Belhelvie, Birse, Glenmuick, Bourtie, Cabrach, Cairnie, Garioch, Clatt, Cluny, Coull, Crathie and Braemar, Crimond, Cruden, Culsalmond, Daviot, Drumblade, Drumoak, Dyce, Echt, Ellon, Fintray, Frogue, Foveran, Fraserburgh, Fyvie, Garlty, Glass, Glenbucket, Tullich and Glengairn, Huntly, Insch, Inverury, Keig, Keithhall and Kinkell, Kemnay, Kennethmont, Kildrummy, Kincardine O'neal, Kinellar, King Edward, Kintore, Leochel and Cushnie, Leslie, Logie Buchan, Logie Coldstone, Tarland and Milgvie, Longside, Lonmay, Lumphanan, Meldrum, Methlick, Midmar, Monquhitter, Monymusk, New Deer, Newhills, Old Deer, Old Machar, Oyne, Peterculter, Banchory Devenick, Peterhead, Pitsligo, Premnay, Rathen, Rayne, Rhynie, Skene, Slains, Strathdon, Strichen, Tarland and Migvie, Tarves, Tough, Towie and Strathdon, Tullynessle and Forbes, Turriff, Tyrie, and Udny. New Machar Parish Vol 67 is not available due to the fragility of the Volume.
Argyll OS Name Books, 1868-1878	These volumes provide information on the place names found in the county of Argyll. The columns of these ledgers include the place name, any variant name and spellings, map sheet numbers and descriptive remarks.
Ayrshire OS Name Books, 1855-1857	These volumes provide information on the place names found in the Ayrshire parishes of Ardrossan, Auchinleck, Ayr, Ballantrae, Barr, Colmonell, Coylton, Craigie, Dailly (including Ailsa Craig), Dalry, Dalmellington, Dalyrymple. Dreghorn, Dundonald, Dunlop, Fenwick, Galston, Girvan, Irvine, Kilbirnie, Kilmarnock, Kilmaurs, Kirkmichael, Kirkoswald, Kilwinning, Largs, Loudoun, Mauchline, Maybole, Monkton and Prestwick, Muirkirk, New Cumnock, Newton-upon-Ayr, Ochiltree (including Stair), Old Cumnock, Riccarton, St Quivox, Sorn, Stair, Stevenston, Stewarton, Straiton, Symington, Tarbolton, and West Kilbride, as well as the town of Girvan, between the year of 1855 and 1857. The columns of these ledgers include the place name, any variant name and spellings, map sheet numbers and descriptive remarks.
Banffshire OS Name Books, 1867-1869	These volumes provide information on the place names found in the Banffshire parishes of Aberlour, Alvah, Banff, Bellie, Boharm and Rothes, Botriphnie, Boyndie, Cabrach, Cullen, Deskford, Fordyce, Forglen, Gamrie, Glass, Grange, Inveravon, Kirkmichael, Inverkeithny, Keith, King Edward, Marnoch, Mortlach, New Machar, Ordiquhill, Rathven, Rothiemay, and St. Fergus in 1867-1869. The columns of these ledgers include the place name, any variant name and spellings, map sheet numbers and descriptive remarks.
Berwickshire OS Name Books, 1856-1858	These volumes provide information on the place names found in the Berwickshire parishes of Abbey St. Bathans, Ayton, Bunkle, Channelkirk, Chirnside. Cockburnspath, Coldingham, Coldstream, Cranshaws, Duns, Earlston, Eccles, Edrom, Eyemouth, Fogo, Foulden, Gordon, Greenlaw, Hume, Hutton, Ladykirk, Langton, Lauder, Legerwood, Longformacus, Merton, Mordington, Nenthorn, Oldhamstocks, Polwarth, Swinton, Westruther, and Whitsome as well as the town of Berwick from 1856 to 1858. The columns of these ledgers include the place name, any variant name and spellings, map sheet numbers and descriptive remarks.
Buteshire OS Name Books, 1855-1864	These volumes provide information on the place names found in the Buteshire parishes of Kilbride and Kilmory, Kingarth, North Bute, and Rothesay, between 1863 and 1864 with Cumbrae and Ardrossan surveyed between 1855 and 1856. The columns of these ledgers include the place name, any variant name and spellings, map sheet numbers and descriptive remarks.
Caithness OS Name Books, 1871-1873	These volumes provide information on the Caithness place names found in the parishes of Reay, Bower, Dunnet, Olrig, Canisbay, Wick, Latheron, Halkirk, Thurso, Watten, and Sutherland between 1871 and 1873. The columns of these ledgers include the place name, any variant name and spellings, map sheet numbers and descriptive remarks.
Clackmannanshire OS Name Books, 1861-1862	These volumes provide information on the place names found in the Clackmannanshire parishes of Alloa, Alva, Dollar, Clackmannan and Tillicoultry between 1861 and 1862. The columns of these ledgers include the place name, any variant name and spellings, map sheet numbers and descriptive remarks.
Dumfriesshire OS Name Books, 1848-1858	The following 55 volumes provide information on place names between 1848 and 1858 in the Dumfriesshire parishes of Annan, Applegarth, Canonbie, Carlaverock, Closeburn, Cummertrees, Dalton, Dornock, Dryfesdale, Dumfries, Dunscore, Durisdeer, Eskdalemuir, Ewes, Glencairn, Gretna, Half Morton, Hoddom, Holywood, Hutton and Corrie, Johnstone, Keir, Kirkconnel, Kirkmahoe, Kikrmichael, Kirkpatrick Fleming, Kirkpatrick-Juxta, Langholm, Lochmaben, Middlebie, Moffat, Morton, Mouswald, Penpont, Ruthwell, Sanquhar, St Mungo, Tinwald, Torthorwald, Tundergarth, Tynron, Wamphray, and Westerkirk.
Dunbartonshire OS Name Books, 1860	These volumes provide information on the place names found in the Dunbartonshire parishes of Arrochar, Bonhill, Cardross, Dumbarton, New Kilpatrick, Kilmaronock, Luss, Roseneath, Row, Old Kilpatrick, Kirkintolloch, Kilsyth, Cumbernauld, and Dryman in 1860. The columns of these ledgers include the place name, any variant name and spellings, map sheet numbers and descriptive remarks.
East Lothian OS Name Books, 1853-1854	These volumes contain 19th century place names information in the East Lothian parishes of Garvald and Bara, Whittingham, Stenton, Spott Innerwick, Oldhamstocks, Ormiston, Humbie, Fala and Soutra, Yester, Pencaitland, Salton, Bolton, Haddington, Morham, Dirleton, North Berwick, Whitekirk and Tyninghame, Aberlady, Gladsmuir, Prestonkirk, Athelstaneford, and Dunbar between 1853 and 1854.
Fife and Kinross-shire OS Name Books, 1853-1855	The following 135 volumes contain information on the place names found in Fife and Kinross-shire parishes between 1853 and 1855. The Ordnance Surtvey name books for Fife were one of many sources used by a recent research project hosted by Glasgow University's Department of Celtic Studies, and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, which resulted in the five-volume publication, 'The Place Names of Fife' (2006-2013) by Simon Taylor, with Gilbert Márkus.
Forfarshire (Angus) OS Name Books, 1857-1861	These volumes contain information on place names found in the Forfarshire parishes of Aberlemno, Airlie, Airbirlot, Arbroath, Auchterhouse, Barry, Brechin, Caputh, Careston, Carmyllie, Cortachy and Clova, Craig and Maryton, Dundee, Dunnichen, Eassie and Nevay, Edzell, Farnell, Fern, Forfar, Glamis, Glenisla and Alyth, Guthrie, Inverarity, Inverkeilor, Kettings, Kingoldrum, Kinnell, Maryton and Farnell, Kinnettles, Kirkden, Kirriemuir, Lethnot and Navar, Liff and Benvie, Lintrathen, Lochlee, Logie Pert, Lunan, Lundie and Fowlis, Mains and Strathmartine, Maryton, Menmuir, Monifeith, Monikie, Montrose, Murroes, Newtyle, Oathlaw, Panbride, Rescobie, Ruthven, Stracathro, St Vigean, Tannadice, and Tealing, between 1857 and 1861.
Inverness-shire OS Name Books, 1876-1878	The Inverness-shire OS Name Books are divided into three sections - Mainland, Skye and the Outer Islands. The Skye volumes (OS1/16) provide information on the place names found in the insular island parishes of Inverness-shire in the mid-late 1870's. These parishes include Bracadale, Strath, Duirinish, Kilmuir, Portree, Sleat, Snizort, and Eigg. The Inverness volumes (OS1/17) provide information on the place names found in the mainland parishes of Abernethy and Kincardine, Duthil and Rothiemurchus, Alvie, Daviot and Dunlichity, Moy and Dalrossie, Kingussie and Insh, Ardersier, Glenelg, Kilmonivaig, Boleskine and Abertarff, Dores, Urquhart and Glenmoriston, Kiltarlity and Convinth, Laggan, Croy and Dalcross, Inverness and Bona, Kirkhill, Petty, Kilmorack, as well as the town of Inverness. These volumes also contain place name information on the parishes of Urray, Cromdale, Inverallan and Advie, Cawdor, and Ardnamurchan. The Outer Islands volumes (OS1/18) provide information on the place names found in the Inverness-shire parishes of Barra, Harris, North Uist, and South Uist in the Outer Hebrides was surveyed in the mid-late 1870s.
Kincardineshire OS Name Books, 1863	These volumes provide information on the Kincardineshire place names found in the parishes of Arbuthnott, Banchory Devenick, Banchory Ternan, Benholm, Bervie, Dunnottar, Duris, Fettercairn, Fordoun, Fetteresso, Garvock, Glenbervie, Kinneff and Catterline, Laurencekirk, Maryculter, Marykirk, Nigg, St. Cyrus, Stonehaven, and Strachan in 1863. The columns of these ledgers include the place name, any variant name and spellings, map sheet numbers and descriptive remarks.
Kirkcudbrightshire OS Name Books, 1848-1851	These volumes contain information on place names found in the Kirkcudbrightshire parishes of Anwoth, Balmaclellan, Balmaghie, Borgue, Buittle, Crossmichael, Caerkaverock, Carsphairn, Colvend, Dalry, Dalmellington, Dumfries, Girthon, Holywood, Kirkgunzeon, Kirkmabreck, Kirkmabreck, Kelton, Kells, Kirkbean, Kirkpatrick Durham, Kirkpatrick Irongray, Lochrutton, Minnigaff, New Abbey, Parton, Rerrick, Straiton, Southwick, Terregles, Troqueer, Twynholm, Tongland, and Urr.
Lanarkshire OS Name Books, 1858-1861	These volumes provide information on the place names found in the county of Lanarkshire between 1858-1861. The columns of these ledgers include the place name, any variant name and spellings, map sheet numbers and descriptive remarks.
Midlothian OS Name Books, 1852-1853	These volumes provide information on the 19th century Midlothian place names in the parishes of Borthwick, Canongate, Carrington, Corstorphine, Cramond, Cranston, Cockpen, Crichton, Currie, Dalkeith, Duddingston, Glencorse, Fala and Soutra, Heriot, Inveresk, Kirknewton, Kirkliston, Lasswade, Liberton, Midcalder, Newton, Newbattle, North Leith, Penicuik, Ratho, St Cuthberts, South Leith, Stow, Temple, West Calder, and the City of Edinburgh.
Morayshire OS Name Books, 1868-1871	These volumes provide information on the 19th century Morayshire place names in the parishes of Alves, Birnie, Dallas, Knockando, Rothes, Edinkillie, Ardclach, Boharm, Cromdale, Inveralland and Advie, Drainie, Duffus, Dyke and Moy, Elgin, Spynie, St Andrews Lhanbryd, Forres, Kinloss, Rafford, Rothes, Speymouth, and Urquhart, from 1868 to 1871.
Nairnshire OS Name Books, 1869	These volumes provide information on the place names found in the Nairnshire parishes of Ardclach, Auldearn, Cawdor, Croy and Dalcross, and Nairn published in 1869. Place names from the parishes of Moy and Dalarossie, Petty, and Daviot and Dunlichity may also be found in this volume. The columns of these ledgers include the place name, any variant name and spellings, map sheet numbers and descriptive remarks.
Orkney OS Name Books, 1879-1880	These volumes provide information on the place names found in the Orkney parishes of Birsay, Cross, Burness, Lady, Deerness, Eday, Evie, Firth, Flotta, Harray, Holm, Hoy and Graemsay, Walls, Kirkwall and St. Ola, North Ronaldsay, Orphir, Rendall, Rousay, Sandwick, Shapinsay, South Ronaldsay, Stenness, Stromness, St. Andrews, Stronsay, and Westray in 1879-1880. The columns of these ledgers include the place name, any variant name and spellings, map sheet numbers and descriptive remarks.
Peeblesshire OS Name Books, 1856-1858	These volumes provide information on the place names found in the Peeblesshire parishes of Broughton, Culter, Drummelzier, Eddleston, Innerleithen, Kirkurd, Linton, Lyne, Manor, Newlands, Peebles, Skirling, Stobo, Traquair, and Tweedsmuir, as well as the burgh of Peebles, between 1856 and 1858. The columns of these ledgers include the place name, any variant name and spellings, map sheet numbers and descriptive remarks.
Perthshire OS Name Books, 1859-1862	These volumes provide information on the place names found in the Perthshire parishes of Aberdalgie, Aberfoyle, Abernethy, Abernyte, Alyth, Ardoch, Auchterarder, Bendochy, Blackford, Blairgowrie, Callander, Caputh, Dunkeld and Dowally, Cargill, Clunie, Collace, Coupar Angus, Crieff, Culross, Dron, Dull, Fowlis Wester, Fortingall, Weem, Monzie, Kenmore, Dunbarney, Dunblane, Dunning, Errol, Findo Gask, Forgandenny, Forteviot, Fossaway, Glendevon, Inchture, Kilmadick, Kilspindie, Kincardine, Kinclaven, Kinfauns, Kinloch, Lethendy, Kinnaird, Kinnoull, Kippen, Lecropt, Little Dunkeld, Logie, Longforgan, Fowlis Easter, Madderty, Meigle, Methven, Moneydie, Monzie, Monvievaird and Strowan, Muckart, Muthill, Perth, Port of Menteith, Rattray, Blairgowrie, Redgorton, Rhynd, St Madoes, St Martins, Scone, Tibbermore, Trinity Gask, and Tulliallan from 1859-1862. During the Second World War some of the Perthshire OS Name Books were destroyed during an air raid on their storage site at Southampton. Among the volumes destroyed were those covering the whole extent of the county surveyed at the scale of 6 inches to the mile, certain detatched parts of parishes, and the following parishes surveyed at 25 inches to the mile: Arngask, Balquhidder, Blair Atholl, Comrie, Fortingall proper, Kenmore proper, Killin, Kirkmichael, Moulin, and Weem proper.
Renfrewshire OS Name Books, 1856-1857	These volumes provide information on the Renfrewshire place names found in the parishes of Abbey, Govan, Neilston, Kilbarchan, Lochwinnoch, Beith, Cathcart, Eastwood, Eaglesham, Mearns, Erksine, Houston, Kilmacolm, Greenock, Renfrew, Inverkip, Port Glasgow, and Inchinnan between 1856 and 1857. The columns of these ledgers include the place name, any variant name and spellings, map sheet numbers and descriptive remarks.
Ross and Cromarty OS Name Books, 1848-1876	These volumes provide information on the place names found in the county of Ross and Cromarty. Ross and Cromarty (insular) was surveyed between 1848 and 1852, and Ross and Cromarty (mainland) was surveyed between 1871 and 1876. The Ross and Cromarty insular volumes (OS1/27) provide information on the place names found in the island parishes of Barvas, Stornoway, Uig, and Lochs. The Ross and Cromarty mainland volumes (OS1/28) provide information on the place names found in the mainland parishes of Alness, Kiltearn, Applecross, Avoch, Contin, Urray and Fodderty, Edderton, Fearn, Gairloch, Killearnan, Kilmuir Easter, Kilmuir Wester, Suddie, Kincardine, Lochalsh, Kintail and Glenshiel, Lochbroom, Lochcarron, Logie Easter, Nigg, Resolis, Rosemarkie, Tain, Tarbat, Urquhart, Logie Wester, and Rosskean.”
Roxburghshire OS Name Books, 1858-1860	These volumes provide information on Roxburghshire place names found in the parishes of Ancrum, Ashkirk, Bedrule, Bowden, Castleton, Cavers, Crailing, Eckford, Ednam, Galashiels, Hawick, Hobkirk, Hounam, Jedburgh, Kelso, Kirkton, Lilliesleaf, Linton, Makerston, Maxton, Melrose, Minto, Morebattle, Oxnam, Roberton, Roxburgh, Selkirk, Smailholm, Southdean, Sprouston, St Boswells, Stichill, Teviothead, Wilton, and Yetholm between 1858 and 1860.
Selkirkshire OS Name Books, 1858	These volumes provide information on the place names found in the Selkirkshire parishes of Ashkirk, Ettrick, Galashiels, Innerleithen, Kirkhope, Peebles, Roberton, Selkirk, Stow, and Yarrow in 1858. The columns of these ledgers include the place name, any variant name and spellings, map sheet numbers and descriptive remarks.
Shetland OS Name Books, 1877-1878	These volumes provide information on the place names found in the Shetland parishes of Aithsting, Bressay, Burra, Cunningsburgh, Delting, Dunrossness, Fetlar, Gulberwick, Lerwick, Lunnasting, Mid Yell, Nesting, North Yell, Northmaven, Northmavine, Quarff, Sandness, Sandsting, Sandwick, South Yell, Tingwall, Unst, Walls, Weisdale, Whalsey and Whiteness in 1877-1878. The columns of these ledgers include the place name, any variant name and spellings, map sheet numbers and descriptive remarks.
Stirlingshire OS Name Books, 1858-61	These volumes provide information on the place names found in the Stirlingshire parishes of Airth, Alva, Baldernock, Balfron, Bothkennar, Buchanan, Campsie, Denny, Drymen, Dunipace, Falkirk, Fintry, Gargunnock, Killearn, Kilsyth, Kippen, Larbert, Lecropt, Logie, Muiravonside, Polmont, Slamannan, Stirling and St Ninians as well as the towns of Falkirk and Stirling. Stirlingshire was surveyed between 1858 and 1861. The columns of these ledgers include the place name, any variant name and spellings, map sheet numbers and descriptive remarks.
Sutherland OS Name Books, 1871-1875	These volumes provide information on the place names found in the Sutherland parishes of Assynt, Clyne, Loth, Golspie, Farr, Kildonan, Lairg, Rogart, Creich, Dornoch, Durness, Eddrachillis, and Tongue between 1871-1875.
West Lothian OS Name Books, 1855-1859	These volumes provide information on the place names found in the West Lothian parishes of Abercorn, Bathgate, Borrowstouness, Carriden, Cramond, Dalmeny, Ecclesmachan, Kirkliston, Linlithgow, Livingston, Queensferry, Torphichen, Uphall, and Whitburn.
Wigtownshire OS Name Books, 1845-1849	These volumes contain information on place names found in the Wigtownshire parishes of Inch, Glasserton, Kirkcolm, Kirkcowan, Kirkinner, Kirkmaiden, Leswalt, Mochrum, New Luce, Old Luce, Penninghame, Portpatrick, Sorbie, Stoneykirk, Stranraer, Whithorn, Wigtown, and Kirkmabreck between 1845 and 1849.