Toponymy Carnoustie

karnousty depicted on timothy pont s map c1583-96.

the origin of name carnoustie uncertain. plausible suggestions have included various gaelic derivations such cathair, càrr or càrn na fheusta, fort, rock or cairn of feast, or càrn guithais, cairn of firtree. however, these suggestions of relatively recent origin , name may derive obscure pictish element, càrn Ùstaidh.

folk etymology suggests name has later, anglic origin. name supposed derive scots craws nestie , referring large number of crows inhabit area. tradition alluded in coat of arms of carnoustie, includes pair of crows. other, less possibilities include derives cairn of host or cairn of heroes in memory of supposedly perished @ battle of barry.

ultimately origin of name unknown predates town several hundred years. earliest record of carnowis in 1510 charter of james iv archibald douglas, 5th earl of angus. carnussie farm recorded in balmerino abbey register of c1575, states (along part of grange of barry , badiehill) feued fairny family , karnousty farm can seen on pont s map of lower angus, c1583-96. town seen carnowstie in deed of sale 1595, carnushie appears in tax roll balmerino abbey in 1617, , lands of carnouslie referred in title deeds confirming purchase george maule, 2nd earl of panmure in 1672. adair perhaps first depict carnoustie current spelling in 1703, while roy s military survey of scotland, 1747–55 has cornisty . in webster s topographical dictionary of scotland (1819), carnoustie mentioned carnuistie .