Places named after Stones

tjj Nov 24, 2009 19:41:51

I just found a very old post by Grim about Wealdstone near Harrow in London. I had a family reason for being interested in Wealdstone but was wondering if there are many other interesting place names that are directly related to ancient standing stones.

Just a thought ... thinking aloud really.

Wealdstone post by Grim

Branwen Nov 24, 2009 23:29:55

Replying to tjj

Clackmannan, Scotland/UK Clacmanan ‘Stone of Manau’ from the Gaelic clach ‘stone’, a reference to the very old stone in the middle of the town, and Manau, the name of a district.

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/812/

Off topic but does Clach a'Charra at Onich on the banks of Loch Linnhe have another name or spelling, can't find it on TMA using search.
http://www.glencoe-scotland.net/standstone.html

drewbhoy Nov 25, 2009 23:52:27

Replying to tjj

East Aquhorthies, the RSC near Inverurie, in Gaelic means Hill Of Prayer. Probably very apt.

Penske666 Nov 26, 2009 17:00:18

Replying to tjj

No so much stones but places ending with -low ending in Derbyshire/South Yorks/Notts area are normally named after artifical mounds.

Thinking of Stone theres a place called that near Roche Abbey but I think thats named after the quarries in the area (some map reading tonight methinks)

scubi63 Nov 26, 2009 17:46:07

Replying to tjj

The Gull Stone, now destroyed, was supposed to be part of a stone circle near Gorlestone in Suffolk (or Norfolk depending on who you ask).

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/8048/gull_stones.html

I often wondered whether the name of the town of Gorlestone had any connection to this?

I am interested in this as my dad's side of the family originated from this area, and it would be nice to have some sort of megalithic connection in this otherwise barren area.

:o)

wideford Nov 26, 2009 20:15:45

Replying to tjj

in Orkney there is the parish of Stenness with the Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar. Also Stanerandy, Stanemora, Stensigar and Stonepark. Possibly Stanger too (Boardhouse). Trouble is telling standing stone derived name from those named for stones in general e.g. Staney Hill, Stanny Knowe and Stenny Holm.

wideford Nov 26, 2009 21:14:13

Replying to tjj

A risky matter using placenames to infer standing stones. Even where we have record of standing stones they ain't necessarily so, with e.g. Redland Stone and the Stanemora stones now known to have been part of chambered cairns (the former named Redland North chambered tomb, the stone itself destroyed in the late 19th century) and the Stanerandy stone pair now Stanreandy Tumulus. If the stones had been destroyed without record of their situation they would still be down as standing stones. And even where there are standing stones to fit the placenames these themselves might still be named after areas of natural stones or other kinds of site - I imagine we assume a connection on our own sensibilities on at leat a few occasions.

Wiggy Nov 27, 2009 13:29:57

Replying to tjj

It has been suggested that Durrington (near Woodhenge) where I lived some of the time as a kid may stem from "Deorings/Deer - rings" which could relate to the henge. A bit tenuous I suppose but it does appeal to me.

PMM Nov 27, 2009 13:45:36

Replying to tjj

Thurstaston, on Wirral is named after a natural rock, rather than a standing stone.

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/7003/thors_stone.html