OS1/11/9/16

List of names as written Various modes of spelling Authorities for spelling Situation Description remarks
CUNNIGAR Cunnigar


Cunnigar

Cunnigar
Revd. [Reverend] W. Walker
J. Hislop
Stat. Acct. [Statistical Accounts] 1845
004 An artificial mound supposed to be Druidical, sit:uated close to the village of Mid Calder, it is well known that the Druids held their assemblies in the open air & upon a mound or eminence & of the person who officiated as reciter or crier at these meetings was called the "Dad [--]: &
Dadridge or Dadridgerig which place is about a mile west of this mound is supposed to have been the residence of this Officer. It is said many unfortunate beings designated Witches were burnt here in superstitious times. The late Dr. [Doctor] Somers had the mound excavated and found some stone coffins with human bones &c. N.B. [Note Bene - Note Well] The above information respecting the etymology of the name and the rise &c. of this mound was taken by the field Examiner from a history of the parish by the Revd. [Reverend] Dr. [Doctor] Somers. The conjecture is not well founded.

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 16 Parish of Mid Calder

In Jamiesons Scottish Dictionary is the word Cuningar or Cunningaire (which he derives from the Swedish Kamin a rabbit and gaard an enclosure) Signifying a "Warren" In the New Stat. Acct. [New Statistical Accounts], The above name is said to signify & guard or keeper of Rabbits. The spelling as well the etymology given in Jamieson's Dictionary is objectionable. Also the definition given in the Stat.Acct. [Statistical Account] above quoted is erroneous. The term popularly known is the Gaelic to express a Warren is Coinicear. And [cojujcejr], in the Irish nearly as Cunnigar and therefore it is plain that the scotch word Cunnigar is from the Gaeilic Connicear & not from the Swedish as maintained by Jamieson.

Transcriber's notes

There are several words crossed out in the description remarks on this page and a few words I cannot decipher.

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