Dryfe Water facts for kids
The Dryfe Water is a river located in Scotland. It flows for about 18 miles (around 29 kilometers) before joining a larger river called the River Annan. This meeting point is close to the town of Lockerbie.
The Dryfe Water begins its journey on the southern slopes of a hill known as Loch Fell. This area is near the town of Moffat. From there, the river travels through a narrow valley until it reaches the River Annan.
What's in a Name?
The Dryfe Water is quite special because it has given its name to a few other things.
Dryfesdale Parish
The river is the origin of the name for a local area called Dryfesdale. A "parish" is like a small district or community.
Scottish Surnames
The name "Dryfe" also inspired a common Scottish family name, Drysdale. You might even hear of a less common surname, Dryfe or Drife, which also comes from this river.
The Meaning of Dryfe
It's a bit of a mystery! The exact meaning of the word "Dryfe" isn't known for sure. However, experts think it might come from one of three old languages:
- Norse
- Anglo-Saxon
- Brythonic
All these languages were spoken at different times in the region of Dumfriesshire, where the Dryfe Water flows.
