169
frequently resided at the bend of the Aln, as we see in the chartularies that many
of their charters are dated from Aln-crum. This village was sacked by the English
under the conduct of the Earl of Rutland at the fanatical epoch of 1549 (n).
The parish of Langnewton was originally called Newton, the meaning whereof,
in the speech of the Saxon settlers is obvious; the prefix lang was added by
them to denote the elongation of their Newton. The church of Langnewton
anciently belonged to the monastery of Jedburgh, but to the episcopal superin-
tendance of Glasgow (o). The church of Langnewton has been long ago de-
molished ; but its cemetery continues to be used by those parishoners who
regard the remains of their fathers (p), [The parish church of Ancrum was
built in 1762 and repaired in 1832. Its communicants number 307, and the
stipend is £432. A Free church had in 1887, 71 members].
The present parish of MINTO was formed from the old parish of Minto, and
from a large part of the ancient parish of Hassendean. The origin of the name
of Minto is obscure. In ancient charters it is generally spelt Mintow and
Mynthow. The Gaelic etymologists are studious to explain the Celtic word
Minto to mean the kids-hill; observing the craigs of Minto to be interspersed
with shrubberies, and recollecting that kids delight to sport among dangerous
heights and to browse on " steepy craggs." It may be allowed then, that
Mynn in the Cambro-British, and Meenn or Min in the Scoto-Irish do signify
a kid. But, among the many names in the Scoto-Irish for a hill or craig, to,
tow or thow, does not appear (q). The British speech is more likely to furnish
the true etymon of Minto. In it Mynta signifies an aggregate; and Myntai
what is aggregated (r). Either of these words may have been applied by the
British settlers here to the congeries of rocks which are even now known by
the name of Minto-craigs. In their language Min-tau denotes the brink or
edge which extends out; Min-to means the exterior brink or border ; and Min-
tua, signifies towards the brink (s). Now, the village of Minto stands on a plain
field near the bank of a rivulet. At some distance on the same side of the
streamlet stands the church on the top of a steep lank The mansion-house of
Minto is placed on the opposite bank, which extends out into an angular point,
which is formed by the junction of two rivulets at the foot of the steep bank.
(n) Border Hist., 568.
(o) At the final settlement of the rights of the bishop and abbot, in 1220, the vicarage of Long-
newton was fixed at eight marks, or the altarages, in the option of the vicar, who was, however, to
make an acknowledgment to the canons.
(p) Stat. Acco., x., 292.    Other particulars of this parish may be seen in the same account, x., 289.
(q) O'Brien and Shaw ; Myn-tu, in the Cambro-British, signifies, indeed, the kid's district. Davies
and Owen.                          (r) Owen.                                 (s) Davies and Owen.
3                                                               Z