Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X, list of Scottish place-names).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

FOOTDEE. A folk-etymological spelling of the fishing quarter of Aberdeen, at the mouth of the River Dee, locally Fittie [′fɪte] (Abd. 1708 Burgh Rec. Abd. (B.R.S.) 334, Footee, 1818 W. Kennedy Annals Abd. I. 390, 1872 A. Allardyce Footdee in the last Century 1, 1965 F. Wyness City by Grey North Sea 16).

[O.Sc. Foty, Futy, from 1317, where there was a chapel dedicated to Fotin, a Gaulish bishop and saint of the 2nd c.]