The Origin of the Name
Kilsyth was originally spelled Kelvesith, meaning "Kelving-lands", i.e. the area around the headwaters of the River Kelvin. Some earlier writers have attempted to derive it from St. Syth, a mythical character or even from scythe, the farming implement. The original estate bearing the name stretched westwards from the Garrel Burn to the Inchwood Burn, the present western boundary of the District at this point. Later, the name was applied to Moniebrugh as well, eastwards from the Garrel. Moniebrugh can be translated as the "Hilly Place of Streams", while Garrel is simply "Rough Stream".