Scotland
/ˈskɒtlənd/
noun
Origin
Latin
Scoti — People of unknown origin, later used to refer to the Gaelic-speaking peoples of Ireland and Scotland
Overview
Meaning Now
- A country that is part of the United Kingdom, occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain.
Literal older meaning
Land of the Scots
Language path
Latin → Old English → Middle English → English
Earliest form
Scottia
Earliest period
c. 11th century
Journey
The name originates from the 'Scoti', a term used by Romans to describe the Gaelic-speaking tribes of Ireland and western Scotland. By the 11th century, the name 'Scotia' was specifically applied to the Kingdom of the Scots north of the River Forth.
Evolution
- Late Latin
Scoti
“Gaelic raiders or inhabitants of Ireland”
First recorded by Roman writers in the 3rd century.
- Old English
Scottas
“The Scots”
- Middle English
Scotland
“The land inhabited by the Scots”
Formed by the combination of Scot and land.
Connections
Word parts
Scot
root
The Gaelic people
land
root
territory or country
Related across languages
Old Irish
Scuit
The Scots
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Related to Scotland
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.