Lochmaben – What’s in a name?

By Robert Togneri, Lochmaben, September 2023

LOCHMABEN, where does the name come from? There appear to be many and varied opinions as to its origin and source, the following are some possibilities for consideration.

LOCHmaben – Firstly, and perhaps the easiest part to understand, and the least contentious, is the word “Loch”. It existed in the Scots word louch((https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loch#h1)) (derived from Middle English between 1150-1450((‘Middle English’ developed from Old English, changing its grammar, pronunciation and spelling and borrowing words from French and Latin. – a period of roughly 300 years from around 1150 CE to around 1450 https://www.bl.uk/medieval-literature/articles/middle-english#:~:text=’Middle%20English’%20%E2%80%93%20a%20period,Old%20English%20and%20Modern%20English.))), and from Scottish and Irish Gaelic Loch which is akin to Latin lacus meaning Lake

Lochmaben and District has a substantial number of Lochs. Below is a list of the Lochs from largest to smallest;

  1. Castle Loch – about 200 acres
  2. Brummel Loch – Sometimes called Broomhill Loch and Halleaths Loch – about 80 acres
  3. Mill Loch – about 70 acres
  4. Kirk Loch – about 60 acres
  5. Hightae Loch – sometimes called Hi-Tae Loch or Hightae Mill Loch – about 52 acres

    The smaller lochs
  6. Upper Loch – sometimes called Upper Mill Loch
  7. Blind Lochs – two close together, the northern is larger than the southern
  8. Grummel Loch – now Grummel Park
  9. Grassyard Loch – at Hightae

LochMABEN – Secondly, and the most challenging, and contentious, to define is the “Maben”.

Roman Influence
The first possibility is that this part of the name derives from the Roman name Locus Maponi((https://www.roman-britain.co.uk/places/maponi/)) (lit. the Place of Maponus) and the iron-age god Maponus. It is also possible that the first part of the name could be explained as an element derived from the Latin word “locus”, meaning a place, ergo the “Place of Mapon” or “Locus Mapon” to “Loch Maben”.

This name is noted in the Ravenna Cosmography((https://oxfordre.com/classics/classics/abstract/10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.001.0001/acrefore-9780199381135-e-8009?rskey=89e82r&result=5)), a list of place names covering the known world compiled by an anonymous cleric in Ravenna around 700 AD. Textual evidence indicates that the author frequently used maps as his source, in this case, he used Ptolemys Geographia((https://www.geographyrealm.com/ptolemys-geographia/)) written about 150 AD and compiled all knowledge about the world’s geography in the Roman Empire of the 2nd century. It is also suggested that Locus Maponi means the ‘Loch’ or ‘Pool’ of Mabon, which would support Lochmaben as the intended named site.

The Scottish Parliament archive of Gaelic names records Lochmaben as “Maban’s or Maponos’s loch“, referring to the Gaelic equivalent of Apollo((https://archive2021.parliament.scot/Gaelic/placenamesK-O.pdf)) in Greek and Roman mythology.

There was significant Roman influence in the area, particularly from about 79AD when the Roman General Gnaeus Julius Agricola((https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnaeus_Julius_Agricola)) (40-93AD), appointed to command the Legio XX Valeria Victrix in Britain, advanced into Scotland and established camps at Eaglesfield, Birrenswark and Torwood Muir((The Scottish Historical Review Volume XIX, No. 76 (1922) https://www.electricscotland.com/history/review/106aVol19No76July1922.pdf)) between Lockerbie and Lochmaben. A Roman road once existed in Lochmaben through what is now Marjoriebanks and followed part of the old railway line past Mill Loch. On Torwood Muir he entered battle with Corbredus Galdus, King of the Scots((https://www.transceltic.com/blog/galdus-scottish-king-whose-legend-honored-ancient-monuments)).

Celtic Influence
Another possibility is that Maben (pronounced Maebahn) is a name, possibly of Celtic origin. The Welsh suggest it may be derived from the hills and moors where the ancient Britons (Bretons in French) thrived. In Welsh literature and mythology, “Mabon ap Modron (lit. The son of Modron)” is a member of King Arthur’s((https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Arthur))

However in Scotland, it is believed to derive from the medieval given name “Maban“, similar to the Welsh “Mabon“, and represents the British “Maponos” or “great son”. The surname may also be a diminutive of the medieval female given name “Mab(be)“, a short form of the Old French, “Amabel“, the Latin “amabilis (loveable)”. Amabel was a common Christian name after the mid 12th Century, but became contracted more popularly to “Mabel” which, in turn, became more popular than “Amabel“.

It has been suggested that it may derive from the Gaelic Maighdean, however this is a comparatively modern word, possibly Irish Gaelic, believed to be borrowed from Gothic, and signifies a maiden. It does not in any way describe the place, as Celtic names usually do.

There is a charter granted by King Robert I. to Thomas de Carruthers, about the year 1320, of the lands of “Muffald“(Moffat,) in which the reddendum((something given periodically by a vassal to his superior in acknowledgment of feudal dependence)) is to be delivered to the king “at our manor of LOCHMALBAN“. Here the orthography corresponds with the ancient Gaelic “loch-maol-ben” signifying the lake of the “Bald” or “smooth eminence.” This possibly refers to the hill on which the original castle of Lochmaben stood at the top of Mounseys Wynd on Lochmaben Golf Course((Lochmaben 500 Years Ago: Reverend William Graham 1865)).

The late Bell Macdonald of Rammerscales, an authority on language stated “Malbeu” or “Maben“is simply a contraction for Magdalen, the patron saint of the burgh. Hence Loch of St Magdalen, contracted Loch-Malben, or Maben.

It is said that the Scoto-Irish((https://www.libraryireland.com/Druids/Scoto-Irish-Druids.php)) settlers called it Loch-ma-ban, “the Lake in the White Plain” in allusion, it is supposed, to the white mists that hang over the district in the morning before sunrise in autumn weather((Lochmaben 500 Years Ago: Reverend William Graham 1865)). The Reverend Thomas Marjoriebanks also held that view((Presbytery of Lochmaben, Synod of Dumfries by the Rev. Thomas Marjoribanks, Minister Page 377 / 378)) as did the Reverend Andrew Jaffray((Sinclair, Sir John. The Statistical Account of Scotland, Lochmaben, Dumfries, Vol. 7, Edinburgh: William Creech, 1793, p. 234 to 244. University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow. (1999) The Statistical Accounts of Scotland online service: https://stataccscot.edina.ac.uk:443/link/osa-vol7-p244-parish-dumfries-lochmaben)).

Recorded in the Ordnance Survey Names Book((https://scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/digital-volumes/ordnance-survey-name-books/dumfriesshire-os-name-books-1848-1858/dumfriesshire-volume-36/1)) compiled between 1848 and 1858 is that “tradition reports that a Nunnery existed at an early age on an Island in one of the largest lochs from which circumstance Gaelic Maigdenn is supposed to be the derivation – thus to signify the Loch of Maidens“. The only one of our Lochs that would have an island is Castle Loch. However this ‘island’ is unlikely to be the one shown on maps as “Henderland Island”. It was most likely a part of the current prominence from the castle headland. The Loch level now is much lower than it once was having been partially drained, prior to this the “island” would have been accessed via short causeway. The now dry moats at the castle support this theory((https://canmore.org.uk/site/66315/lochmaben-castle?display=collection&GROUPCATEGORY=4))12.

Maps in time
An examination of old maps of Scotland allows the tracking of the use language and place names in relatively modern times. Listed below are a few examples from the archives held by the National Library of Scotland((Please note that many of these early maps are wildly inaccurate in their geolocation – https://maps.nls.uk/));

In conclusion, the name of Lochmaben and its origin remains shrouded in the mists of time, there have been many influences on name, spelling and language over the centuries and it may originate directly from one point of origin or, as is suspected, most likely an evolution from Roman, Celtic, French, Latin, Gaelic and English influences. Lochmaben is the name of a small place today with a proud, long and intriguing history. Today its name is Lochmaben, tomorrow – who knows?

An ode to Lochmaben ...

In Lochmaben's embrace, history unfolds, A town of legends, tales untold. 
With "Loch" in its name, a water's gleam, Reflects the past, a timeless dream. 

In ancient days of yore, a royal seat, A castle grand, where monarchs meet. 
Brave Bruce was born, a noble birth, His legacy, an indelible worth.

The loch's calm waters gently flow, A haven for wildlife, a tranquil show. 
Birds take flight with graceful ease, Amongst the reeds, they find their peace. 

The town, a charm, its streets in grace, Welcoming all with warm embrace. 
A friend for you, the custom true, In Lochmaben's heart, a tale for you.((Ode to Lochmaben: Robert Togneri August 2023))
  1. https://www.thecastlesofscotland.co.uk/the-best-castles/scenic-castles/lochmaben-castle/ [↩]
  2. https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM90205 [↩]