They are names that every Edinburgh resident is familiar with – and each of them has a fascinating story behind it.
Edinburgh has a fascinating history dating back thousands of years, with evidence of a settlement in the Cramond area from around 8500 BC.
The city’s name comes from ‘Eidyn’, the name for the region in Cumbric – the Brittonic language spoken in the Northern England and Lowland Scotland in the Middle Ages.
At this time a stronghold on Castle Rock was called Din Eidyn, literally meaning ‘the hillfort of Eidyn’. As the Scots language evolved, the Din was replaced by ‘burh’, creating Edinburgh.
And there are plenty more clues to the Capital’s complex past in the names of the areas that make up the city, all of which come from a multitude of languages, backgrounds and people.
Here are 12 of them.
At this time a stronghold on Castle Rock was called Din Eidyn, literally meaning ‘the hillfort of Eidyn’. As the Scots language evolved, the Din was replaced by ‘burh’, creating Edinburgh.
5. Stockbridge
The name Stockbridge comes from the Scots 'stock brig' which in turn comes from from the Anglic 'stocc brycg', meaning a timber bridge. It only became part of Edinburgh after a bridge spanning the Water of Leith connected it with the city. The current stone Stock Bridge was built in 1801. Photo: Crauford Tait
Now home to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Little France's name comes from the time when Mary, Queen of Scots took up residence at nearby Craigmillar Castle in 1566. Her large French entourage joined her, giving the area its Gallic-themed moniker. Photo: Gareth Easton
Previously called Figgate Muir, Portobello got its name thanks to a seaman called George Hamilton who built a cottage on what is now the High Street in 1742. Hamilton had served under Admiral Edward Vernon when a British fleet of boats attacked and captured the Panamanian port of Porto Bello from the Spanish in 1739. He named the cottage Portobello Hut in honour of the victory and the name was used for the growing number of homes that began to spring up around it. Photo: Unknown
Sciennes is named after the Convent of St Catherine of Scienna, which was built in the area in the 16th century. The convent also gives its name to St Catherine's Place, where it originally stood. Photo: Unknown