Landscape, Settlement and Buildings

Etymology

The origin of the name "Culgaith" or "Culgarth," as it was some- times spelt, is obscure, and opinions differ about its meaning. Many people think that it is derived from " Cul," meaning "back end," and "garth," meaning garden. For hundreds of years much of Cumberland was covered by a big forest called Inglewood, and Culgaith was on the edge of this forest, so it might probably have been the end of the cultivated part of the country.

According to Wikipedia...
the name Culgaith is first attested in the twelfth century, as Culgait.[5] "This name is of most likely Brythonic origin. It is formed from an Old Celtic base *cūl, which has developed into Welsh 'cil', 'corner, retreat,' and British *koid, Welsh coed, 'wood'. The Old English form of the name would have been Cȳlcēt."[6][7]: 283  The first element might also be *cǖl, 'narrow', which would give Culgaith the same etymology as Culcheth.[8] 

DJH 2025