May Williamson: The Non-Celtic Place-Names of the Scottish Border ...

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GRAHAM’S LAW (Eckf): (81, 6 F):
Grymeslawe, 1296 CDS; Grymyslaw, 1440 RMS; 1456 HMC (Rxb); Grymslo, Blaeu. A
personal name ON Grīmr, ODan Grm, is perhaps the first element, but cf Grim’s Ditch
(DEPN, 196). The nine caves in the cliffs near Grahamslaw House may have been suspected
of supernatural origin.
HOSELAW (Lnt): (81, 9 D):
Horslaw, 1569 RMS; Hoislaw, 1596 CBP. Hoselaw Loch: Hoslowelogh, 1385 Ch. OE hōs
hlāw, “bramble hill”.
KIPPILAW (Bow): (80, 14 F):
Kippitlaw, 1557-8 HMC (March); tippilaw, 1567 Kelso (t = c); Kippelaw, 1569 RMS.
Compare Kippet Law (Lgf). The form of OE coppede, “having the summit cut off”, may have
been wrongly /121/ associated with ModSc kip, “peak”. The hill at Kippilaw is in no way
peaked. Compare also Kippielaw near Traprain, ELth.
LEMPITLAW (Spr): (81, 8 D):
Lempedlav, c 1190 (c 1320) Kelso; -lawe, ib; Lempetlaw(e), 1190-1220 (1400) Soltre; 1596
CBP; Lympetlaw, 1235-58 Soltre; Limpedlaue, c 1250 (c 1320) Kelso. OE lempedu, “limpet”,
in the sense of “limpet-shaped”, must be the first element. Compare Lempat furde, 1580 HMC
(Wed) in Stirlingshire.
LUNTONLAW (Mak): (81, 5 D):
Langtounlaw, Blaeu. It is doubtful whether Blaeu’s version is trustworthy. Gael lunndan,
“marshy spot”, might be the first element (CPNS, 450).
MABONLAW (Rbt):
Mabinlaw, Blaeu. Mabon is a personal name of British origin.
MERVIN’S LAW (Sdn):
Mervinslaw, Blaeu. The surname Marvin (from OE Merefin(e) < OW Merefin), is the first
element. Compare the “lost” Xernwingeslawe etc (infra).
MOZIE LAW (How): /122/
Mosyla Hill, Blaeu. OE mōsig-hlāw, “mossy hill”. To give the present form the o must have
been shortened in ME and lengthened again in ModSc, otherwise a form comparable to
Muselee would have developed.
RAPERLAW (Llf): (80, 14 G):
Raperlau, 1147-50 (17 th -18 th ) ESC; -law, 1147-52 (Morton) ib; Rapeslawe, 1165-1214 NMS;
Raperslawe, 1278-9 CDS. OE rāpere, “rope-maker”, gives a surname Raper(e) in ME which
may be contained in this name.
SHARPLAW (Jed):
Shairpla, Blaeu. “Sharp” in the sense of “peaked” or “precipitous”, < OE sċearp, sċærp.
SOFTLAW (Spr): (81, 7 E):
Softlaw (P), c 1290 (c 1320) Kelso; -lawe, 1296 CDS; Softelawe, 1292 RS; -lowe, 1311-12
CDS. “Hill where the ground is soft or spongy”: cf Softley, Du (PN NbDu, 185).