What's in a (street) name?

The following is not a complete street name directory of old Glasgow.

Abercrombie Street. See Bellgrove.

 Adam's Court. Built subsequently to Jamaica Bridge by John Adam (1767-1772?). See Jamaica Bridge John Adam built a number of antique-looking buildings in Argyle Street He was also the contractor for the first Jamaica Street footbridge (1768). 

Adelphi Street. The Clyde frontage was called Adelphi in honour of the Brothers Hutcheson .

 Albion Street Opened 1806. See Greyfriars Wynd (North Albion Street), and Grammar School Wynd (North Albion Street). Albion Street Chapel-the minister in 1794 was the Rev. James MCLeod. 

Anderston. Village was formed in 1725 by Anderson of Stobcross upon one of his unproductive farms. Bishop Street, Anderston-James Monteith of this street was the first who warped a muslin web in Scotland. Long before steam mills were introduced into Scotland for spinning cotton, in 1792, Mr. Monteith purchased "bird nest" India yarn and had it woven with a hand-shuttle at a cost of IS. 9d. per ell for weaving. The winding of such yarn cost 6s. 9d. per pound. When finished, the web was embroidered with gold and presented by Mrs. Monteith to Queen Charlotte. 

Argyle Street. In 1124 was the road to Dumbarton Castle. On 27th July, 1783, R. Browne, perfumer, Argyle Street, advertises that he supplies" genuine violet powder for the hair, of a neat, elegant, and cheerful kind "; said to be the first mention of Argyle Street. Robert Carrick, of the Ship Bank, lived in the second flat above the Bank offices, in  a house on the north side, down to 1821. Lord Provost Patrick Colquhoun (of the Luss family) had a house in Argyle Street before he removed to London. About 1828 George Douglass, plumber, Virginia Street, "was the first who put plate glass into windows in his property in Argyle Street, near Buchanan Street. It was considered generally a great risk and monstrous extravagance."

Barras Yett. Probably not far down Saltmarket, near where it was intersected by Molendinar Burn. "Barras," said to mean either the enclosure of wood (barrier) or the enclosure of the tilting ground. Burgh Records mention (1574) "the South Port, callet the nether Barras Yett"

 Barrowfield. Mentioned in 1529 (Or. Par. Scot.). Regent Murray camped on the lands of Barrowfield prior to Langside. About (1729?) the City, in conjunction with the Trades' House, acquired Barrowfield. It remained in their hands until 1731, when they conveyed it to John Orr, who disposed of it as building ground. In 1705, the Gallowmuir, or Burgh-roods, on which the burgesses grazed their cattle, was sold to John Walkinshaw. He began there to build the village of Barrowfield; but Barrowfield as a.locality existed long before that This village was called Bridgeton after the erection of Rutherglen Bridge. Walkinshaw was able to feu only nineteen lots in nineteen years. He then sold the whole to the City and the Trades' House, who resold as said in 1731 to John Orr. Few houses were built on Barrowfield for many years. (The name is doubtless "the Burrow or Burgh Field." It was spelt Borrowfield in early deeds). John Orr of Barrowfield, one of the City Clerks from 1781 to 1803, was grandson of the John Orr mentioned above. The original John Orr paid only £. 10,000 for the estates of Barrowfield and Camlachie.

Bellgrove Street. Formerly Witch Lone. This Lone was from time immemorial the na~ of an old road which led from the high grounds of Wester Craigs across a section of the Gallowmuir to Clydeside. It had in 1851 disappeared, having become Bellgrove and Abercrombie Streets. In old times the Easter and Wester Craigs belonged to the Stewarts of Minto, whose house in the Drygate was afterwards known as the Duke's Lodging. The Witch Lone was the only road north and south across the Gallowmuir (see Gallowmuir). The Lone was said to have been originated by the masons who built the Cathedral and who lived in Rutherglen. It was also a drove road for cattle crossing the Clyde at Dalmamock Ford. It is partly delineated in a rare map, "new road by Duke Street to Cumbernauld," constructed for the Carron Compan'y in 1766. It is complete in the maps of M'Arthur, 1778; and Barrie, 1780. Whitehill, Annfield, Bellfield, Slatefield, Campbell field, Jeanfield, and other villas were built on the Gallowmuir. Part of the Lone is north and part south  of Gallowgate. About the beginning of the century a person who built some villas facing the Lone tried to call it Young Street, but the proprietors of villas preferred Beilegrove. This refers to the part north of Gallowgate. The south part became early in the century Abercrombie Street, in honour of Sir Ralph, who fell in Egypt

Bell's Wynd. On 31st October, 1782, advertisement of sale, "Sugar House premises in Bell's Wynd." In this Wynd, on the north side, resided William Cross, head of a well-known Glasgow family. On south side, third flat, Lightbody's Land, was the warehouse of Henry Monteith, muslin manufacturer, founder of the famous firm of Henry Monteith & Company, and father of Robert Monteith of Carstairs.

 Bishop's Castle. Built in 1439, a little to south-west of Cathedral, surrounded by stone wall by Beaton in 1508. Built mainly by Bishop Cameron

Blackfriars Wynd, or Vennel. Mentioned about 1300. A convent of Dominican or Black Friars was founded by the Bishop and Chapter on the east side of High Street, near where the College Kirk stood. Their church was dedicated to the Virgin and St. John the Evangelist It was begun to be built in 1246, when Pope Innocent IV. granted forty days' indulgence to all who should contribute to its completion. The convent of Blackfriars was richly endowed. King Edward I. of England, when in Glasgow for a fortnight in the autumn of 1301, lodged at the Friars Preachers (Or. Par. Scot). The Wynd was in possession of the public by 1400, however earlier. In 1603 the steeple of the church was fitted up as a prison for ecclesiastical otT enders. Persons were "steepled," and fed on bread and water. In 1635 the church had got into disrepair, and was reconveyed by the College to the City.

Blind Asylum. Built on the site of the country house of John Swanston, grocer, whose shop, in 1788, was at No. 85 Trongate. 

Blythswood Town was divided into nine police wards. After 1820 a number of persons who had places of business in the ancient Regality went to reside in Blythswood Town, which, though adjoining the City, is in Barony Parish, hence a falling off in the rental between 1820 and 1825. The City and municipal parts of the suburbs consisted of ten parishes of City, nine wards of Blythswood, Burgh of Anderston, Burgh of Calton, Burgh of Gorbals. Bridgeton, Finnieston, Camlachie, etc., were only" populous villages" in 1832.

Blythswood Square. In 1800 Campbell advertised that he was ready" to let all his lands near Glasgow on leases of ninety-nine years, except about 150 acres close to the town." Opened 1823. Called c. Garden Square" in map contained in Glasgow Del., viz. (four of list of authorities). The site was known as Blythswood Hill. Mr. Harley was the original feuar of the ground and projected the square. The name Garden Square was probably given from the name of a Mr. Garden, who is spoken of as intending to layoff several crescents and squares to the west of Garden Square.

  Bridgegait. Existed in 1124, however earlier. Merchant's Hall and steeple built 1651, from designs by Sir William Bruce. (See Wells.) 1756, James Inglis had shop opened. (See also Saltmarket.) Here in 1788 lived Lawrence Cuters, who esteemed himself the" Wisest Man in Scotland," commonly called" Lawrie Cooters."

Brig Port. 1588, Oct. 23rd - Man placed to keep it in consequence of 'plague at Paisley (Mem. of Glasgow). 1588, Oct. 26-Two honest men of the Briggait appointed for this purpose (ibid.). 1588, Oct. 31st -Whole ports of the town to be repaired and two honest men appointed to keep the same, " according to the auld ordinance maid thairanent for keeping of every ane of the said is ports, to wit, the Briggait Port, etc." (ibid.). Inhabitants to keep their yard ends close, so that no one may come through them into the town but by the" common ports"

Broomielaw. Campus de Bromilaw, mentioned about 1325 (Or. Par. Scot, 74). See Delftfield. 24th July, 1662-Resolved by Corporation to build a little quay there for the more commodious loading and landing of boats (Mem. of Glasgow). After the removal of ford in or about 1556, small craft came up to Broomielaw. But there was no regular harbour there for more than 160 years afterwards. The Magistrates held Courts called Coble Courts at the Broomielaw. (See Burgh Records, 21st April, 1589.) Niniane Hutcheson fined for stealing two salmon. "I t is statute and ordaint be the baillies and counsall that the watter seriand saIl charge the haill boittis cumand to the Brumelaw to cum to the mercat to be maid at the Brumelaw, but to fens the same fra doing thairof onder the pan of ten Ii, and that becaus thai may cum up the watter." (Burgh Records, 6th August, 1596.) About 1824 John Fulton & Co. erected a tilt-hammer in their works at Broomielaw, the first in this locality, for converting scrap into bars.

 Buns Wynd. In existence in 1560, however earlier.

Burrell's Lane. Chapman's Picture of Glasgow says that the first set of itinerant players in Glasgow performed in 1750 in a room called Burrell's Hall in the High Street-it ought to have said Bell 0' the Brae. An advertisement of 1800 says- "To let, a large house in Burrell's Lane."Glasgow Historical ( & beyond ) (bygoneglasgow.blogspot.com)

Candleriggs. Said to have been opened in 1724, and that it was previously com riggs. But over the back lintel of a tenement which (in 185 I) stood at No. 127, the property of James Graham, was an inscription dated 1597, and, beneath, the words" rebuilt 1824-" The fact that a house stood at the northern end of Candleriggs at so early a date raises the question of how a tenement built there in 1597 is consistent with the supposition that the street was opened 127 years later (1724). But it is explained that this property stood in and fronted the Back Cow Lone (now Ingram Street) and ultimately became the comer of Candleriggs, when opened in 1724- There was a candleworks at its northern extremity, hence the name. The soaperie of Glasgow, which in the first number of the Glasgow Courant, I uh November, 1715, advertises that anyone wanting" black or speckled soap" may be supplied with it there by Robert Luke, the manager, stood at the north-east comer of Candleriggs. The south-west comer was built by James M'Ilhosc, maltman, Gallowgate. grandfather of James Hozier of Barrowfield and Mauldslie. The name was changed from M'Ilhose to Hozier.

  Canon Street. Opened in 1360, if not earlier. Formed part of Back Cow Lone.

Carlton Place. Two of the new buildings here were advertised for sale, February, 1803. It was named after the mansion of the Prince of Wales, whose gate was kept by big Sam, his Scotch porter. At this time Messrs. Laurie attempted, by putting up gates, to shut out the public from the space in front between the bridges, but the attempt failed. See Laurieston as to first houses built there.

Castle Street. Existed at least as early as 1124. 

Cathedral Road. An advertisement of 1798 mentions Potterow Lane, which seems to have been what is now called Cathedral Road. 

Cattle Market. Between Gallowgate and Duke Street Erected in 1818

Charlotte Street. Formerly Merkdaily Lane or Road. An advertisement in a Glasgow paper (unnamed) of 1798, June 3, says that there is a "house in Charlotte Street" ready to be let The street was called after the consort of George III. For twenty-five years the lower part of it was very fashionable. Opened 1779. On the west side lived David Dale, founder of the Lanark Cotton Mills, etc., and the first agent in Glasgow of the Royal Bank, whose first offices were in a small shop in Hopkirk's Land, High Street.

 Clyde Street (West). Opened 1773. The well-known '' Bob Dragon" (Robert Dreghom of Roughhill) resided here in 1788 in "an elegant mansion."

Cochrane Street. Called" Cotton Street" in an advertisement in a Glasgow paper, 1789. Advertisement, January, 1799, says that a new line of street is laid out from John Street to Montrose Street to be called" Cross Street." This is now the east part of Cochrane Street. Opened 1787

College Street. Advertisement in Glasgow paper, 3rd June, 1794, advertises for builders to erect two edifices at the corner of a new street lately opened facing the College gate, on the plan drawn by James Adam, Esq., of London. The ornaments of these tenements were never completed. In 1792 the Magistrates acquired a lease from the College of a property in High Street, now occupied by College Street, and fitted it up as a place of confinement for dissolute characters. But it was only temporary, and a Bridewell in Duke Street was erected in 1798.

 Common Yett. Near Gallowgate. Mentioned 1433

Cowcaddens. In 1793 a slaughter-house and a cattle market existed here. cc Decreet given against Johne Mwdy, maltman, for payment to George Elphinstoun, factor to Mr. Archibald Douglas, parson of Glasgow, of £12 3s. 4d. Scots, in Mwdy's hands, being a debt owing to John Boyd, who had been decerned by the Lords of Council to pay a sum to the parson for' certane teyndis of Kowcaldanes.''' (Burgh Records, 1st February, 1574).

 Delftfield. The first manufactory of delft in Scotland set up at Delftfield, "near Broomielaw," in 1748.

Dennistoun. North of East Duke Street, was built on fields belonging to the estate of Mr. Jonathan Anderson, "merchant at Sweetup," near Bothwell, who was also the owner of the land now occupied by Sighthill Cemetery. The Duke Street fields used to be known as "Anderson's Parks," and the" Glasgow Sharpshooters" of I8I9 used to exercise there under Colonel Hunter. 

Dobbie's Loan. Old Roman Iter. See Duke Street and Stable Green Port - Glasgow Historical ( & beyond ) (bygoneglasgow.blogspot.com)

Drygate. Existed 1124 or earlier. See also under Duke Street. Prior to building of Stockwell Bridge in 1345 by Bishop Rae, the principal street of the City was the Drygate, near the head of which on the south stood the Duke's Lodging, which belonged at one time to the Rector of Eaglesham, but came into the Montrose family 1586. A mint was built here in 1392. The coins struck bore on one side the King's crest, crowned, but without the sceptre, with the motto " Robertus Die Gratia Rex Scotorum," on the other side on the inner circle" Villa de Glasgow," and on the outer circle "Dominus Protector." A building on south side of Drygate, formerly manse of the Prebend of Cambuslang, was in 1635 bought by the Magistrates and fitted up as a correction house for vagrants and dissolute women. In 1638 the Council gave a lease of their" great lodging and backyard in the Drygate" to Robert Fleyming and his partners, "except the two front vaults," free of rent for seventeen years, to be used as a manufactory wherein a number of poor people might be employed. See Gyrthburne and Limmerfield Street.

Drygate Port. Burgh Records, 1574, mention this Port. Decreet given in favour of the College against William Stuarte, "as occupeyar, heretour and intromettour with the tenement in the Drygate callit Askirk Manse" for payment of "the soome of xiiijs. iiijd. money yeirlie be the space of xvj ~ yeiris begane for ane annuell awand furth of the said tenement sumtyme perteining to the Vicaris of the queir of Glasgow, and now perteining to thame as havand the gift thairof." (Burgh Records, 6th May, 1597.)

  Duke Street. See note under George Street as to this street having come west formerly to Balmanno Brae. Called after the Duke of Montrose, whose "Lodging" overlooked it. It was formerly the Camtyne Road. From time immemorial a narrow Lone led from Shettleston past Whitehill House into the Drygate, in line with what is now Duke Street. It was part of the old Roman "iter," or military road, which branched off the main line at Carluke, and came down through the thick forest, via Drygate and Dobbie's Lone, in its course to the Antonine Wall at Theodosia. near Dumbarton. Re Duke's Lodging, see also Bellgrove Street. Witch Lone is probably the same as the lane mentioned above. Opened 1794. Bridewell erected here 1798. Bridewell extended 1824- See also Gallowmuir.

Dunlop Street. Opened 1772. See Theatres. At head of west side lived, in 1788, Archibald Smith, jun. (of the firm of Leitch & Smith), who purchased the lands of Jordanhill, in which property he was succeeded by James Smith of J ordanhill, the scientist and Biblical critic. -Glasgow Historical ( & beyond ) (bygoneglasgow.blogspot.com)

French Street Was originally Papillon Street.

  Gallowgate. Called "Vicus Furcarum" in Reg. of Glasgow. Existed 1124, if not earlier. At its head stood the extensive premises of the Glasgow Tanworks Company. In 1713, five of the original ports existed, viz. :-the Gallowgate Port near St. Mungo Street, the West Port near the Black Bull Inn, the Water Port near the old Bridge, the Stable Green Port near the Infirmary, and the Rottenrow Port at the western extremity. The Gallowgate Port and West Port seem to have been taken down in 1749. For reference to pottery in Gallowgate, see Tureen Street First tannery in Scotland for tanning ben leather established by Glasgow Tanworks Company on east side; formed soon after the Union and composed of a number of leading merchants of the City. In 1773 this company employed 300. hands (Cleland). The Eastern Sugar House was owned by" Robert M'Nair and Jean Holmes in company." Jean was Robert's wife, and it was after her he named "Jeanfield," a queer-looking villa which he built on the site of what is now the Eastern Necropolis. At No. 25 was, in 1788, the shop of Charles Walker, grocer and agent for the old Falkirk Bank. As Colonel of the Grocer Corps of Volunteers, he was generally spoken of as " Kornel Walker," and his regiment was known as the" Sugeralli Corps." He was "the gallant Charlie Walker" of whom Blind Alick sang that he "makes Bonyparty tremble like a Quawker." (IC J. B.," in a MS. note copied by Mr. Muir, says this shop in his time was still extant, and "the greatest shop curiosity in Glasgow."

 Gallowmuir. Extended east from the Butts (afterwards the Barracks) to Camlachie, bounded on the north by the Carntyne Road, once a Roman "iter," and on the south by what is now Calton. The muir was a wild common, overgrown with whins. Whitevale, Annfield, Bellfield, Slatefield, Campbellfield, Jeanfield, and other villas were built on Gallowmuir soon after the middle of last century. Annfield was built by Tennent, who called it after his wife, Ann Park. The memory of Ann-, Bell-, Campbell-, Jane-, and Slate-field are preserved still (1894) in the names of streets in the locality. See Barrowfield. Burgh Records, 21st May 1625-IC Ordaines the Maister of Work to repair the buttis in the Gallowmuir for exercis of schutting quha pleissis."

George Square. Opened 1787. February, 1789 - Advertisement in Glasgow paper announces that R. Smith, jun., builder, has bought three sides of the square, and has commenced building seven houses on the eastern side. When the square was planned, a statue of George I II. was intended to have graced the centre. 1797, August-Advertisement in Glasgow paper offers thirty guineas reward to informers against those who had destroyed the greater part of the railing, which shows that by that time it was railed in. The George Inn was opened in 1802 by Mrs. Hemming.

Glasgow Field Road. During the minority of Queen Mary, the Regent Hamilton fought a battle with the Earls of Lennox and Glencairn at the Buttys, said to be the site of the Infantry Barracks. About 300 men fell. The scene of this battle was called II the Field of Glasgow." (" Annals of Glasgow" quoted, vol. i., p. 9.) The Glasgow Field Road is mentioned in an advertisement as forming part of the lands lying between Howgate and Glasgow Field.

Gorbals. Latin Garba means (it is said) a sheaf of corn. Dedmae Garbales is an old term in Scotch Law meaning vicarage teinds. This may be the origin of the name. 1759, April 26th, the Lords agreed to a bill entitled, "An Act for improving the navigation of the River Clyde to the City of Glasgow, and for building a bridge across the said river at the village of Gorbals." The place was famous for manufacture of fire-arms, drums, spinning-wheels, cuckoo-clocks, and swaps. See Hospital Street The village of Brig-end or Gorbals is probably as old as Bishop Rae's Bridge, built 1345. The Magistrates and Council bought the lands of Brig-end, or Gorbals, from Sir Robert Douglas of Blaickerston, 1647, for £81,333 6s. 8d. Scots j one-half for Hutchesons' Hospital j and the other half between the City and the Trades' House. The Magistrates received, in 1650, a Crown charter to lands of Gorbals, together with the heritable office of Bailliery and Justiciary formerly held by the Duke of Lennox. This charter was confirmed by the Duke's commissioners in 1655. The purchase did not include the ancient village alone, but also included Kingston, Tradeston, Laurieston, and Hutchesontown (or at all events these areas), bounded on the south by Strathbungo. During about 150 years after formation of Merchants' and Trades' Houses the latter invariably joined the City in purchase of lands, but the Merchants' House declined to invest in land. 

T.B.Cont