OS1/3/4/1
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AYR | Ar Are, Air, Aire Ayr Ayr Ayr United to Alloway Ayr |
Old Charter(1197). Old Writings of 15th & (and) 16th Centuries, Statistical Accot.(Account) (1842). Paterson's History (1847). Johnston's Map. Voters' List. |
"Ayr in all probability derived its name from the river at whose mouth it Stands, which appears to have given the Same designation also, to the parish, the bay,and the County. But whence was the name itself derived . There are rivers it is Said bearing the same appelation and having likely the same common etymology, in England, France, Switzerland and in almost every country in Europe. In the formation of Language, proper names, in particular, often take their rise from some quality in the objects to which they have become affixed. This has been obviously the case, in regard to the rivers Ayr and Doon. In Celtic to which the word must obviously undoubtedly be traced. Ar literally signifies clear, and Dhu or Dhur, dark, and those qualities are sufficiently characteristic of the streams which they designate. The latter in consequence of running a soft deep bog near its head, receives a black mossy tinge, which it retains during the whole of its subsequent course, whereas the former from flowing above a gravelly bed, continues clear and limpid throughout. The mode of spelling the word has undergone several changes in the process of time. In the royal charter of the burgh, and in all records,it is written Are; from this it came to be changed in Air, and since the end of the last century, Ayr has very generally been adopted, and is likely and is likely now to be permanent***. Ayr parish consists of the united parishes of Ayr and Alloway which are nearly equal in point of extent of Surface, a Small rivulet called Glengau-Burn. |
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Parish of Ayr -- [Page] 1Transcribers who have contributed to this page.
Chr1smac -Moderator, Jane Dunlop
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