Friday 20th March, 2009
History of name
The word “Douglas” means “black stream”. It is derived from two Celtic words, “dubo” meaning black, and “gallsjo” meaning stream. Perhaps the river was so named because it flowed over exposed coal seams on part of its course.
Through the years the River has been know as “Duglas” (1147), “Duglis” (1199-1220), “Dugglis” (c.1350), “Dugglys” (1387) and many more.
It may seem odd that the river name has a Celtic derivation, but there are several place names, as well as physical features, in the Wigan area which have retained versions of their Celtic names.
Nennius , in his “History of The British” (Historia Brittonum, c. early 9th century), suggests that the legendary King Arthur fought four battles against the Saxon invaders on the banks of the River Douglas (Dubglas).
There have been several attempts to link this statement with the Wigan area. Unfortunately, the evidence does not hold up and it is extremely unlikely that Arthur, supposing he existed, came anywhere near Wigan.
The name “Asland”, applied to the lower reaches of the river, seems to have been derived from Old Norse “askr” meaning “ash tree” and Old English “lane”, which in this instance has the sense of “river course” rather than a road.
The first known spelling of the name was “Asklone” in 1217. Subsequent spellings were “Ascalon” 1223, “Asteland” 1550, and Astland c1555, “River Douglas alias Asland” (1719), submission of Douglas Navigation Act.