As with the history of clans and tartans in Scotland, there are a variety of opinions on the meaning of the word ‘Leith’. My research has uncovered eight meanings, some of which are related. It is important to remember that the name is taken from the harbour of Leith, a strategically important fishing port that stands on the river named the Water of Leith. Some of the meanings can be taken from the purpose of such a location: river and flowing water. John Arthur, Historian of Leith, Edinburgh states that the river is about 50 to 60 feet wide now due to development, but was much wider in the past which may lend to broad (leathan in Gaelic), wide, and wide river. As Mr. Arthur mentions below, Leith can be spelled Lyth(e) or Leeth on old maps. Lythe is defined by Webster’s Online Dictionary as the European pollack, a fish of the cod family. I could not find nor varify Mr. Arthur’s definition of Leeth; however, he has Leeth as meaning a crossing point. In the Oxford English Dictionary of 1993 I found Leet, it’s third defintion being a “meeting of the ways, a cross-way”. Other meaings that I have come upon are meadow, and dweller’s of the river’s meadow. for more click here
