Language Notes

Element Meaning

Sources

(church of) Kynerine 1234 x c.1270 Lenn. Cart., 36
Ricardo Setone rectore ecclesie de Kynherine 1272 x 1286 Lenn. Cart., 41 [date from POMS]
apud Kylhern 1423 RMS ii no. 165
(lands of) Kylern 1423 RMS ii no. 165
ecclesiam parochialem de Kyllern c.1430 Glas. Reg. no. 340
patricio domino de le graham ac domino de killern c.1430 Glas. Reg. no. 340

Cill-Fhearnna (The church or burying ground of alders, or by some saint Fern…): MacIntyre Dictionary 1810
Cill-earna: School Gaelic Dictionary, 1912
Kil-ʌurn, kil-aurn: Diack MS2276
ciL’-a:rn: Diack MS2276
Cill Earrainn: Killearn (originally Cinn Earrainn, ‘the end of the portion’).: Newton, Bho Chluaidh gu Calasraid

Additional Information

Thanks to Simon Taylor for early forms.

This name appears to have been reanalysed over time. The original form was Ceann Earrainn, ‘end of the portion’ and it has been reanalysied as a Cill- name, with reinterpretation of the specific element. The proposed form best represents the most recent pronunciation.

Alternative Forms