Shankill

Posted by Lewis on June 14, 2004

In Reply to: Shankill posted by Shae on June 14, 2004

: : : : I have just returned from a trip where I passed many places with names such as "Fishkill", "Wallkill", "Peekskill" and "Beaverkill" It brought to mind "Shankill" as in the "Shankill" Road in Ireland. Does anyone know if it has a particular meaning?

: : : : Word Camel...
: : : : Who is knackered but didn't want to forget to ask.

: : : I grew up in Tarrytown New York, so you must have passed right by. Hope you had a good visit.
: : : This is old Dutch country, and the suffix kill comes from the Old Dutch word 'kille' meaning riverbed or channel. When you see a xkill in New York it will be on or close to some body of water.

: : Thanks. I was indeed in a traffic jam in Tarry town not three hours ago. :)

: In the Gaelic languages, 'kill' is an anglicisation of 'cill' meaning 'church.' Similarly, 'shan' comes from the Gaelic word 'sean' meaning 'old.' So, Shankill = old church.

Love placename origins and spotting similarities.

'kill' like 'kirk's. germanic origin 'kirk' for 'church' along with 'minster' a big church or cathedral. 'cathedral' from 'cedera' (or sedera?)(L'tin for) seat, like Welsh 'caer'. Seat similar to 'See' = bishopric.

similar sound to - cill, kirk, church, cedera, caer, cathedral.