Language Notes

Element Meaning

Sources

 “on Ale is Alnecrum, 1296, Allyncrom, 1304 (Bain’s Cal.), Alnecrumbain Latin, c. 1124 (Reg. Glas.), Alncromb, c. 1150 (Lawrie); it is situated near the spot where the Ale turns south through a right angle, so that the second part is W. crwm, G. crom, bent: ‘ bent Alne,’ or if crwm is used as a noun, ‘ Alne bend.’”: Watson 1926, 467-8

“An OE noun meaning “bend”, from crumb, “crooked”, must be the terminal of Ancrum” Williamson, M., Non-Celtic Place-Names of the Scottish Border Counties, 1942, 112

It is not clear if the final element is Celtic or Old English, although the first element is clearly the Celtic river-name now known as the Ale.

Additional Information

Battle of Ancrum Moor ~ Blàr Sliabh Ancrum

27 February 1545

Alternative Forms