Falkirk

English

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English Faukirke, from Old English fāg (“multicoloured”) + ċiriċe (“church”), a calque of Middle Irish Eiglesbrec (literally “speckled church”), probably ultimately from Cumbric. The l is first attested in the 15th century, likely a hypercorrection under Scots influence by analogy with terms such as wall (Scots wa). Compare Medieval Latin Varia Capella (“Falkirk”).

Proper noun

Falkirk

1. A town in Falkirk council area, in the Central Lowlands of Scotland, originally in Stirlingshire.
2. A council area of Scotland, one of 32 created in 1996, and previously a local government district in Central Region (1975–1996).