The earliest record for Drumlanrig is from 1384, spelled Drumlangryg. There are a number of possible etymologies for the name. It may represent Cumbricdrum 'ridge' + -lanerc 'small area of cleared woodland'. However, the first element may also be Gaelicdruim 'ridge', either added to a Cumbric name or to Scots*lang-rigg 'long ridge'.[1]