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Part 1: [A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|XYZ]

Part 2: [A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|XYZ]

NAPIER ROAD	From John Napier of Merchiston q.v., built on the Merchiston estate. Shown, but not named, Littlejohn Map. (The inventor of Logarithms).
NELSON STREET PLACE	After Horatio Nelson, R.N. "Centre of Abercromby Place", D.1827. Off the centre, Ainslie 1804. One of the streets commemorative of naval heroes-Howe St., Rodney St., Duncan Street, St. Vincent St., m.t.c. 22/4/1807.
NEW ASSEMBLY CLOSE	(Unnamed in o.s.) Edgar. Ainslie. Kerr. Commercial Bank Close, formerly New Assembly Close, Kirkwood. Back of Bell's Wynd, Prot. W.F. 11 , 20/10/1762; Fairlie's Entry from Cowgate (q.v.); Murray's Close, Prot. W.F.3, 7/12/1749; Snawdoun's Close, Prot., W.F.10, 3/2/1761. The name was taken from the New Assembly Rooms, which occupied the great house there from 1766 to 1784, New Lights, 185. o.& n.e. i. 245, mentions the Assembly Room in Bell's Wynd, to which rank and fashion came in 1758. But Edgar 1742 and Maitland 1753 gives the New Assembly Close, showing that it already bore the name. The name does not occur in the protocols. From its position it was also called the Back of Bell's Wynd, Prot. W.F.11, 20/10/1762. But it was also named Snadoun's Close, 'Snadoun's Close, now back of Bell's Wynd " Prot. G.H. 11, 5/2/1737; 'Snadown's Close, commonly called Back of Bell's Wynd' Prot. W.F. 7, 17/2/1756, under many varieties of spelling: Snaddoun's, New Lights, 182, Snadonis,Prot. 26/6/1533, Snawdounis, c.c. 972, 11/10/1525. The name seems to have leapt from the north side of the Cowgate to the south, and to have been applied to either Peter's Close, or immediately east of it. Stables on the east side of Snawdoun's Close, built by Alexr. Peter, wright, south side of the Cowgate,Prot. W.F. 8, 23/8/1756, seem to imply this. The derivation of the name is unknown. Another name, Murray's Close, was derived from the residence of John Murray of Blackbarony, father of the first Lord Elibank, who in 1580 occupied the great mansion at the top of the close formerly owned by the Bishop of Dunkeld, New Lights, 183. Kirkwood gives 'Commercial Bank Close, formerly New Assembly Close', which is confirmed by the Directory for 1827. The name was due to the occupation by the Commercial Bank, from 1814 to 1847, of the 'New'Assembly Rooms, occupied in succession as the King's Arms Tavern; by the lighland Society; and finally, after various changes, as the Children's Shelter,New Lights, 185. Gordon shows no distinct close between Bell's Wynd and Stevenlaw's Close; Edgar and Ainslie two short blind closes, in one line, one on the south side of the High Street, the other on the north side of the Cowgate, giving the impression that formerly there had been some kind of thoroughfare, under one name, but that the middle part had been built up and the ends left. It was after this separation that the lower end became Fairlie's Entry.
NEW LANE	Annfield to Williamfield, D. 1827. Was so once. Redeveloped but name retained 1965.
NEWHAVEN ROAD	So called to distinguish it from the old haven of Blackness, Irons ii. 457. Built by James IV, and presented to or bought by the City of Edinburgh 1510, o.& n.e. iii. 297. It was known in the 15th century as "Our Lady's Port of Grace", from the chapel there. Newhaven Road formerly Bonnington Road, Littlejohn Map. See also Newhaven Main Street-Part II.
NEW STREET	Dr. Young's (House). Edgar. Ainslie. Kirkwood. Kerr. It was a new street about 1760, and was at first called Young Street o.& n.e. ii. 18; Kincaid 107, from the house of Dr. Thomas Young, which appears as one of the additions made to Edgar's map in 1765 The street was a private one, with posts and chains, till declared a public one in 1786, m.t.c. 19/4/1786, but it remained private in effect till 1819, when power was reserved by the late Dr. Thomas Young representatives to make New Street a public access from the High Street of the Canongate to the road at the foot of the Calton Hill, not, 'as they please', Can. Chart. 5/5/1819. The two names appear combined, 'Dr. Young's new street in Cannon gate', m.t.c. 25/1/1826. His name appears in 1773, p.w. 1773, and later as in New Street. He was married to Barbara Gibson.Can. Chart 28/7/1782, but seems to have had no family, his heir being Robert Powley, watchmaker in Appleby, only brother of Thos. Powley, doctor of medicine in Edinburgh, Can. Chart. 26/7/1775. Dr. Young owned property on both sides of the street.
NEWBATTLE TERRACE	In Johnston's map 1851, "Napier Terrace". Newbattle Terrace, Ord. Surv. 1852. "Newbattle House, Pitsligo Road", St. Matthews 37. On the estate of Sir Wm. Forbes whose heir married a daughter of the Marquis of Lothian. Marriage commemorated in Newbattle Ter. Anon. note.
NEWINGTON PLACE ROAD	D.1827. "Clunie's brewery on land of Mr. Scott at Newington", 11 /2/1794, eec.j.s. "Robt. Clunie, brewer, foot of Scienns", D.1800, 115. Lands of Newington for sale, holding feu of City of Edinburgh, 23/11/1772, eec.j.s. Newington. Causeyside, D.1800, 220. Lands of Newington, part of the Old and New Burrowmuir, v.r. 39. Newington St., M.216. Charter for lands of Newington granted to Benjamin Bell of Hunthill, surgeon, m.t.c. 24/7/1805. Acquired from Alexr. Wood, surgeon, 2/6/1803. Lands of Newington,Prot. 10/6/1713. Newington-"Farm house of Newington" - e.a. 15/5/1764. Newington, M. 172, c.2. Mr. Alex. Elleis of Newington, Prot. 25/8/1740.
NEW MARKET ROAD	From the new markets for hides, skin and tallow. Slateford Road. Early 20th century.
NEW MART ROAD	From new cattle mart. Slateford Road. Early 20th century.
NEWPORT STREET	Castlebarns, D.1827. From the new basin shown Lothian Map 1825. Littlejohn, App. 42. On Union Canal.
NICOLL PLACE	From George Nicol, market gardener, circa 1840, j.r. (Following derivation given by someone other than Boog Watson.) Feu charter dated 1892. (In Wm. Robertsone, factors, Atholl Cresc.) Feu contract between Duncan McLaren and David and Albert Nicoll, Dairymen, Bathfield Dairy, North Leith. Minutes of Leith Town Council, 5th Mar. 1900-1, p.189: "that name should be given".
NICOLSON STREET SQUARE	Built between 1765 and 1780. Edgar and Ainslie. On the lands of Lady Nicolson, Edgar 1765 shews "New Road" as projected, Ainslie 1780, her house demolished and the merial pillar to her husband, and the street partly built. She removed to a house farther west, "now part of the promise of Andrew Usher & Co., Gilbert, West face with pear tree trained on it. Looks toward the Chapel of Ease. Walks in Edinburgh 248. West Nicolson St. is named Chapel St. in Ainslie 1780, from St. Cuthbert's Chapel of Ease Nicolson House to let, 26/8/1772, eec.j.s. "Sir James Nicolson of that ilk, m.t.c. 22/1/1823. "Nicholson's Park, hard by this city", e.a. 18/6/1765. Lady N's park, e.a. 5/7/1765. Wm. Nicholsoune owned land and house south of St. Leonards, c.c. 850 4/6/1517. The Barony of Nicolsone, (now Roseberrie) owned by Sir John & Sir Wm. N., acquired by Archibald, viscount of Roseberrie, m.t.c. 17/2/1701. Sir James N. of that Ilk, having purchased some acres lying to the S. of the Potterrow (whereon he has built a new house, which he now possesses) bounded by the highway or causeyway leading from Poterow port to the Sheins, with a piece of waste ground between, which he wishes the town to grant him, he having had trouble with the J.P.'s of Midlothian. Granted, feuduty one merk; Sir James to use the ground only for planting trees to be a decorement to the town. The measurements given, m.t.c. 17/2/1727. Charter granted in his favour, of waist ground lying opposite the Wind milne, m.t.c. 28/7/1727. Sir John Nicolson, as one of the creditors of Sir Wm. Dick was approached by the town, 27/5/1674, for liberty to bring the water pipes through the lands of Braid. £ l,000 Scots granted to Sir John Nicolson of that Ilk, in acknowledgement of his allowing the water pipes to be brought through the estate of Braid, which sum he will use in laying lead pipes from a spring to his own house of Nicolson for the use of the family, m.t.c. 29/9/1675. That part of the parish of Temple which was anciently called Clarkington, and formed a separate parish under that name, was in 1695 in the possession of Sir John Nicolson, and formed a barony named Nicolson. In that year it was sold to Archibald Primrose of Dalmeny (2nd son to Sir Archd. P. of Cariington), Bart. Lord Register and justice Genl. of Scotland, who got a charter under the Great Seal, whereby this and contiguous lands were formed into a new barony of Rosebery, which he assumed as his title when created Viscount in 1700. The first Earl sold it in 1712 to the Marquis of Lothian who named it New Ancrum, but the family disponed it about 1749 to Mr. Hepburne, who gave its old name of Clarkington. It was bought again in 1821 from his descendants by Archibald 4th Earl of Rosebery, who restored the name of Rosebery: created Peer of the United Kingdom 1828. Hepburn began to demolish the old Mansion house 1805; it was finally rased 1812, and a small new house built. From New Statistical Account of Scotland 1845. (i.e. Eldest son of his second marriage with Agnes, daughter of Sir Wm. Gray of Pittendrum: anent whom see Lady Stairs Close). It seems that the lands of Nicolsone, pertaining to the deceased Sir John and Sir Wm. Nicolson of that Ilk, came into the hands of the town as part of the bankrupt estate. These lands and barony were acquired by Archd.. Primrose of Dalmeny at the public roup, 7th July 1694. On 15th May 1696, said Ar. P. of D. paid the Town Sl 31,350 as the price, also amount due as rent since purchase, which was equivalent to interest on price during the time till it was paid, m.t.c. 15/5/1696. Sir John Nicolson of that Ilk made B. & G. gratis, by right of his umq. fr. Sir John N. of Poltoun, B.& G. 4/2/1676.
NIDDRIE ROAD	Leading to the village of Niddrie. See also Niddrie-Part II.
NIDDRY STREET	Vicus Needrisij, Gordon. Nidrie's Wynd, Edgar. Niddry's Wynd, Ainslie 1780. Niddery Street, Ainslie 18O4. Niddrie. Wynd, Kerr. Now represented by Niddry Street, which is, however, a good deal further east than the old wynd, due to the changes made in building the South Bridge, St. CH. 21. It is mentioned in a charter of 3rd October 1477, M.8., c.2. as 'Nudreis Wynd'. The name is doubtless connected with Robert Niddry, magistrate in 1437, o.& n.e. ii. 241. The Rev. Dr. Butler states that the Wauchopes of Niddry had their town mansion in the wynd, Tron Kirk 48, but no authority is quoted for either statement. Niddry Street stretched itself across the Cowgate, and captured Aitkin's Close, giving it the name of South Niddry Street, m.t.c. 9/12/1818. The name varies a little in form-Nidery's, M.216, Nidrie's, Edgar, Nithrie's, Prot. J. W.3, 29/12/1752, and Nethery's, Prot. A. W. 7, 25/1/1725, but nothing has been found to give the true derivation.
SOUTH NIDDRY STREET	Aitken's Close, Ainslie. Considered as a continuation of Niddry Street, formerly Niddry's Wynd. (It is given as Adams' Court in Brown and Watson's map of 1793). The old name, Aitken's Close, is derived from the property of George Aitken, smith, lying opposite Niddry's Wynd, which he bought from Marion and Barbara, daughters of the late John Scott, wright, by Helen McGill, Prot. W.F.8, 25/2/1758. He purchased also land from the heirs of John Jack, slater, m. t.c. 6/12/1820, and built thereon on the west side of Robertson's, or Robison's, Close, at the foot thereof, Prot. J. W. 4, 31/8/1757; W.F. 8, 23/2/1758; m.t.c. 17/5/1815.
NILE GROVE	From the neighbouring district of Egypt, q.v.
NOBLE PLACE	From Grace Noble, wife of Wm. Fingzies, who built the houses there, j.r.
NORTH BRIDGE	On the north of the Town. Originally suggested by James, Duke of York, o.& n.e. i. 336. Also by Sir Wm. Bruce of Kinross, architect to Chas. 11. Do. do. Begun 1767-foundation laid-begun in earnest 1765. Finished 1769. South arch fell Aug. 1769, five passengers killed. Re-opened 1772. Wm. Mylne, builder, widened, 1873. New iron bridge begun 1896. Opened Sept. 1897.
NORTH FOULIS' CLOSE	Fowler's Close, Edgar. Kirkwood. Foulis's, Ainslie. Fowils', Kerr. North has been added to distinguish it from South Foulis' Close; there is no connection in derivation. It has been suggested that the name is derived from the house, demolished in 1902, occupied by Lady Munro of Fowlis, o.e.c. i. 8, but it seems, however, to come from John Foulis, apothecary, owner of a tenement in the close, Prot. J.W.1, 5/7/1746; W.F.10, 28/4/1761; G.L.1, 10/9/1763.
NORTH GRAY'S CLOSE	p.w. list 1779. Kerr. Gray's Close, Edgar. Ainslie. Kirkwood. This close has no connection with South Gray's Close - 'north' and 'south' being added merely to prevent confusion. The name may be derived from the property owned by Robert, son and heir of the late Alexr. Gray, which lay beside the yard of the College of Holy Trinity, Prot. 5/8/1528.
NORTH JUNCTION STREET	See junction St.
NORTH PARK TERRACE	From position beside Inverleith Park, on the north side of the Town.
NORTHCOTE STREET	From Sir Stafford Northcote, First Lord Iddesleigh, leader of the Conservative party, Lord Rector of Edinburgh University Nov. 1883. Addressed a meeting in the Corn Exchange, Grassmarket. Sept. 1884, Gilbert 161-163.
NORTHUMBERLAND STREET PLACE	Built by 1804, Ainslie. Mentioned 9/l/1808, eec.j.s. m.t.c. 17/7/1805. From the county, which formerly was a part of Scotland. The east part built first and called "East Northumberland St.", m.t.c. 1/3/1809.
NOTTINGHAM PLACE	Arnot 18l6 map. Lothian Map 1825. Site named Mud Island, Ainslie 1804 q.v. Built by Samuel Wordsworth, for his stables, see D.1800. m.t.c. 22/7/1807. He probably came from Nottingham, or had some connection with that town. He certainly came from England, m.t.c. 9/10/1808. He was boxmaster of the incorporated trades of the Calton, m.t.c. 11/8/1813. He was horse dealer & vintner, foot of Nottingham Ter., D. 1800, and seems to have retired to 9 St. John St. D.1827. He made petition 1/2/1815 to the Town Council for £30 to meet his expenses in planning a race course at the Meadows, as suggested by the Magistrates, Jan. 1812, and in visiting race courses England. Refused, but £30 granted him 13/9/1815.