Language Notes

Element Meaning

G drochaid ~ bridge; ruaidhe ~ river name

Sources

Additional Information

The article would not be expected here because the element ruaidh here represents the river, not the adjective ‘red’. This is corroborated by the English / SSE version of the name, which is Roybridge after the river, rather than *Redbridge.

The river-name could reflect an older Celtic root of which both the river-name Ruaidh and the adjective ruadh are cognates. The name is somewhat understood as an abstract noun of the adjective, thus ruaidhe, ‘redness’.

Alternative Forms