Language Notes

Element Meaning

Sources

Kirktoun of Conveth alias Sanct-Lawrence 1646 RMS ix, 1668

Laurencekirk: Am Feillire 1907, 36 [Gaelic text, English form used]
“Laurence’s church”. Locally the place is known as Lowrin, a form of the saint’s name found as Labhrainn in Gaelic.: Mac an Tàilleir
Lowrinkirk and Lourenkirk: A. Watson, 2012

“The ancient name of this parish was Conveth but in course of the last century it came to be known only by the name of Laurencekirk originally applicable only to the Kirk town “ NSA 18, 128.

“In the Middle Ages and into the seventeenth century the parish of St Laurence of Canterbury in Mearns was usually
referred to as Conveth, and the parish kirk was the kirk of Conveth. Only later did the modern name Laurencekirk gain currency.: Innes Review 47, 1996 9 (Alan Macquarrie ‘An eleventh-century account of the foundation legend of Laurencekirk)

“Laurence Moor, locally known as Laurin Moor, about a mile and a half from Laurencekirk in Kincardineshire, points to Laurence Fair – an old established cattle-marker held there in August till within recent times” MacKinlay, Pre-reformation Church, 5.

Additional Information

Lowren-fair occurred at Old Rayne and Laurencekirk. As a parish this was called Conveth which Watson gives as modern Coinmheadh. Thomson’s map shows Laurence Fair some distance to the north of Laurencekirk. Near Marykirk. McAlpine ROSC, 200 says the fair was held on 2 August (St Lawrence) and/or 7th January (Tantan).

The current form is a phonological adaption of the specific. A translation of kirk to eaglais was used by analogy with names such as Ecclesgreig (Eaglais Ghreig).

Alternative Forms