Hame
- like toun, this is one of the many words that has undergone only minor changes during its evolution from Old English to modern Scots. Hame is derived from Old English hām, which could denote a village, estate or dwelling. Some of the Scottish names that incorporate this term are in fact Old English coinages. For example, the names Birgham and Edrom in Berwickshire are both recorded in charters that pre-date the 'beginning' of Scots in the year 1100 (Brygham, Bricgham 1095, Ederham 1095). Names recorded later, like Caldhame in West Lothian are probably Scots coinages, though some names were established long before they were written down.