Falstone : The Place Name

Falstone is first recorded in the form 'Foustan' (1317/18), 'Faustane' (1371) and 'the Fawestone' (1541) This is thought to signify the 'multicoloured' or 'speckled stone' and it has even been suggested that this may refer to a natural feature - a distinctive rock outcrop perhaps - which acquired a religious significance (Barrow 1974; Charlton 1987, 27).

A possible toponymic parallel for such a derivation is Holystone ('Halistane'), which occupies a comparable position in the upper reaches of its respective valley, Coquetdale, although no early medieval carved stonework has been found at that settlement unlike Falstone itself.

Picture: View of Modern Falstone